17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Continuing the thoughts of friendship and love in its relationship, the verse completes the notion indicating that a brother is born for adversity. Have you ever interacted with a peer that progressed to a kindred bond? This is the idea. The Hebrew rendered born is יָלַד which means brought forth. So be it by blood or by adversity, your “brother” can help aid the ailing soul.
18 A person lacking in sense shakes hands and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
Perhaps this could also be found in relationships as well. Don’t throw your all into a relationship at first. And this isn’t only romantic relationships as well. One who is friendly ought not confused friendly with overly trusting. Don’t be one who will go to court on behalf of a neighbor you just met! Therein lay wisdom and folly!
19 One who loves wrongdoing loves strife; One who makes his doorway high seeks destruction.
I could already recount on both hands the number of times already this year the number of that I’ve made relational mistakes. I’ve wronged someone, I’ve spoken an unwise word, I’ve caused unintentional pain on behalf of my careless tongue. This is why we all should seek the betterment of others rather than ourselves alone.
20 One who has a crooked mind finds nothing good, and one who is corrupted in his language falls into evil.
Here lay a two fold danger. One that is crooked in mind distorts what is good. I will not make many commentaries on the politics of the U.S. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take longer, regardless of your party affiliation if you interested, to become disgusted. That is precisely why the writer says one who has a crooked mind finds nothing good. The hope however lies in that our corrupted tongue my by straightened for the sake of the gospel (cf. James 3).
21 He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
He who fathers is of primary importance i the word choice. To father is the word yō·lêḏ which is to give birth. You and I must be responsible. As birth is not the role of the father but the mother, raisig a child certainly falls, on both the father and the mother, in the proverbial lap of both parents! Fathers, recognize that your role doesn’t stop in the bedroom. Your role begins in best case on your knees pleading with the Father to created in His image, not yours, a child who in turn will live a life as a testimony of God’s great grace!
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Simply put, do you have a coworker or classmate who seems to bring a smile to your face when you see them? That is the idea here for the first part. I’m not a naturally cheery person. Have a couple cups of coffee and then we’ll talk. But if you are one of those naturally morning cup of cheer type people, praise the Lord! You can help the rest of us as we navigate the day! Further, medicine doesn’t have a one time effect but ca have a lasting effect! You, be good medicine for the weary soul! However, a broken spirit can have a deteriorating effect. That is why, you must be salt and light but also pray the He would leave a sweet aroma after!
23 A wicked person accepts a bribe from an inside pocket to pervert the ways of justice
The word is literally מֵ֭חֵיק meaning from the bosom but the meaning is the same. A wicked person accepts a bribe from the coat or a concealed pocket so pervert the ways of justice. It is striking also that the perversion comes to the “ways” of justice. Justice is often not the matter that is distorted only but the leading up to it. From a mistrial on a technicality to a simple mathematical error, temporarily criminals can be set free. But, though they have escaped temporary justice, their eternal judgement is condemned unless they have bowed their knee and surrendered to Jesus!
9 One who conceals an offense seeks love, But one who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Much like the NT principle of restoration following trials brought about by sifting, there are time when it would be best to conceal offenses. Whether it be simple cultural oversight or abject ignorance we have the responsibility to seek the betterment of others. Conversely if we “keep on” as friends used to say, true harm to the friendship or relationship can occur. When attempting to maintain a relationship both parties must constantly seek the betterment of the other lest sin separate and divide!
10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
As a husband and a father I am largely oblivious to my misgivings. I just “do”. This is not to say the doing didn’t need to be done. The verse however deals more with the how than the what. When we are rebuked or when we are rebuking let us remember that the ultimate end of any conversation ought to be seasoned with the graces of the Savior. That is why when we are both rebuked or rebuking, the end goal is the restoration of the relationship. Also, landing 99 blows into the flesh of an infant in the faith is both abuse and potentially catastrophic!
11 A rebellious person seeks only evil, so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
A person of rebellion is one who seeks evil. What are you seeking as you live? Do you seek better things for others and restoration for severed relationships? On the other side, what “messages” are you receiving regarding you treatment of others. Has your boss or coworkers shied away from you because of your rash temperament? Have your friends or family withdrawn in their desire to be around you? In following the tail end of this verse, has bad news or distressing notice been offered to you? It is wise to regard the notices of His grace before his chiding is the only attention getting mechanism He has left.
12 Let a person meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his foolishness.
Thinking of another verse in Scripture referring to a mother bear and her cubs as a fearsome sight, it is not wise in the least! What’s more, it very well could be the last sight you have this side of eternity!
13 One who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
Just like the provocation of a mama bear, if you or I repay good with evil, we should expect evil to not depart from our house until we make the matter right in the eyes of the Lord!
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Much like poking the mama bear, if we begin to strive against the Lord, it is not long before His majesty and righteousness will correct our behavior! Rather than waste the time pursuing our own vain chasing’s, why not simply turn around? We should recall that the Lord never moved so that we can return!
15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
The transgressions are the same! Justifying wickedness or condemning the righteous are examples of a heart that is set against the Lord! We should daily examine our own lives and then ask the Lord to reveal to us our sin! We cannot go without sin! We can however relinquish that sin to Him and be restored! What is repentance? As Peter preached in Acts 3, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord… (cf. Act 3)”.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?
Finally we end on a pneumonic device in English that “money….no sense” akin to no cents. The question stands however, why is there money in the hand of a fool…? Perhaps we should be like Philip in Acts 8 who ran up to the Ethiopian who was struggling to understand the Scripture. We have that wisdom, Christ! When we see others with the wisdom the in hands and homes of many who haven’t tasted and seen Christ, we can show them! Rather than tell them to just forget about Christ, we can show them Christ, show them that they have immeasurable value in the Words of the Lord and then introduce them to the Savior of the world!
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.
The dry morsel comes to פַּ֣ת or fragment or bit. In other words, better just a crumb with quietness than a veritable smorgasbord and strife. Following up on birthday, Christmas, birthday, anniversaries and more, I think we all could stand a little quiet despite the grand feast of food. Not to mention the inevitable “reveal” of someone sharing something that is less than desirable though we’ve been largely spared that as of late.
2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
Thinking of modern equivalencies I could not help but think of the royal family of the UK. I am not going to lambast them because I do not know nor care of their comings and goings. All I know is that when your life is for all to see, something in your life likely will offend someone. Note however, the servant, so one who serves rather than came to be served, will rule in the end with an inheritance that can never be taken away (cf. Colossians 3:23-24).
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.
The Pulpit commentary has a helpful tip “The word matsreph, ‘fining pot,’ occurs also in Proverbs 27:21. It is not certain what is meant by it. There is no evidence that the Israelites were acquainted with the use of acids in the manipulation of impure or mixed metals; otherwise the “pot” and the “furnace” would represent the two usual modes of reduction; but it is most probable that both allude to the same method of smelting the ore in crucibles, for the purpose of separating the pure metal from the dross. That silver and gold were plentiful in Solomon’s time is abundantly evident; indeed, the amount of the precious metals collected by David and his son is almost incredible (see 1 Chronicles 22:14; 1 Chronicles 29:2, etc., from which and similar passages it is inferred that the sums enumerated equaled more than nine hundred millions of pounds sterling)…”
Thus, the incredibly valuable cost of a soul is such that God desires that all would turn to Him. However, in His incredible wisdom, He declares that though anyone can come to Him, most will not. He draws the ones who will come to Him again in His infinite knowledge. I cannot explain predestination but believe it by faith. I cannot understand the drawing or conviction of the Spirit of God, I accept it by faith. I cannot do anything good unless the Lord inspires and draws me to Himself. I am just grateful that He has chosen to reveal Himself to me and all who would believe!
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Perhaps the more difficult these days than others, though I think mankind has always since the fall been eternally separate from God without His drawing. An evildoer listens to wicked lips…which is interesting in that we all hear wicked lips. The issue is whether we listen and obey. This highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as perfecter of our spirit. You and I are 100% repugnant, willful, and interminable sinners. But, and I love this interjection, but Christ came to save! Therefore though we pay attention to to a destructive tongue, Jesus saves! That is why the statement elsewhere in Scripture often used “But God…” is so amazing! While we were mired in the muck of our own making, Christ made the only way out by His precious blood!
5 One who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; One who rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished.
Remember in the New Testament as Christ gave His beatitudes (cf. Matt. 5) His mentioning of the blessed are the poor in Spirit? We have to recognize that the poor in spirit very well may be rich in the eyes of the Lord! The currency of the cross is the ever increasing fruits of the spirit. As a reminder, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control…” are the marks and distinctives of the King of eternity! Conversely one who rejoices in disaster has a disaster of his own making on the way, repent!
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the old, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
As we have moved into full time parenting mode for 18+ years now, I understand what’s next. Its not a given but likely we will be blessed by becoming grandparents. This is not a given and certainly not a mandate but as nature and life take their course, it is probable. I can say for our parents to let them know “Mom, Dad, hope you’ve picked out grandparent names” was an exciting and happy time. Again though, it is more than simply arranging the holidays. It is about shifting into a new role and new interaction with your kids. Realizing that they have been parented to the extent that they themselves are now parents. Have you instilled the proper parenting principles in your children such that when he or she is off on their own they will draw fresh water from the well of memories to give to the next generation. That is what leaving a Godly legacy is all about!
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.
Looking to a film my wife made me watch, and I’m so glad she did, is “The King’s Speech”. I won’t spoil the movie although it’s not very well hidden what the outcome is. The plot synopsis is hardly interesting on IMDB “The story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.” Riveting. I love this film however as it tells the story of one who is not able to speak clearly and their speech therapist dealing with deeper issues. A fool neither man was. Persons seeking to pronounce good news to their respective audiences? Absolutely!
8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
I believe Matthew Henry offered excellent insight “Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts!” A bribe is a temporary token for a finite period of time fore a finite amount of “good”. The problem lay in the fact that once the time and object are used up, their are consequences for their use! Though we may prosper for a time, in the end we should expect deceit as that was what was used to obtain the token!
Christ was foretold – Genesis 3:15 Christ was delivered through a virgin – Isaiah 7:14 Christ was raised from the dead – 1 Corin. 15 Christ was given to the world – 2 Corin. 5:19 Christ was, is, and ever more shall be King of kings and Lord of lords – Psalm 136:3 The Lord prophesied through Ezekiel 11:19-21 NASB – “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. But as for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads,” declares the Lord GOD.”
That’s the bad news and the potentially the great news. The best news, there is still time! Christ was delivered to us so that we could be delivered from sin.
As the missionary Paul wrote to the Romans, “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).”
What say you this Christmas?
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Blessings as you continue, grace and peace as you go!
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12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness.
Starting right in on verse 12, the world should recognize, no ruler, no authority, no premiere should assume they will go unpunished. If you have been elevated to a position of authority you have been granted that position in part to display the character, leadership, and servanthood of Christ. If you do not know Christ, the ability of showcasing Christ to the employees is substantially less. This is why it is indeed “…an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts…”. If the king is to showcase their leadership position as an example for others, the misdeeds likewise should be shunned. “Because a throne is established on righteousness” we have to remember that the leadership of an individual starts and ends on the person. If you are lord over a small country in the eastern hemisphere you still have a duty and obligation to your people to lead them.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved.
Righteous lips are a delight because they are truthful. There is no ulterior motive. Likewise, one that speaks right will come to be loved as well. When we speak truth in love “…we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:15, NIV). Speak the truth, but speak it in love hoping for the best outcome to all involved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it.
When a leader or king or president or ruler is furious, there are few who truly understand I would surmise. This is why it is like death because there are few who can rightly judge who should live and die. In fact, knowing all the secret deeds and misdeeds belongs to only One. Christ alone. However, the interesting statement in the second half that a wise person will appease it. In the U.S. we carry on novel invention of trial by jury in criminal cases. If the verdict is reached warranting death, it is decided by a collection of peers not a sole unrighteous judge alone.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
Taken to mean the countenance, in the king’s face is life is a phrase simply implying that in the kings mind and impression of the person often could determine both favor and destruction for the party being judged. Again, we in the U.S. are somewhat separated from this judgement type as we have a court and hearings. Yet the second part of the verse 15 states the favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. It is noteworthy I believe to note that in the climate of Israel, it was important that the crops receive both the early spring rain for initial growth and then the latter rain of the year to both cement the crop into the ground and to give it a broad base for growth. To draw on a New Testament parable Jesus gave, regarding the sowing of grain in fertile ground. In order to grow you must be planted!
To draw it together for today, I must be submitted by faith to the broader purposes the Lord has for me and my family. I must trust in Christ, not mankind for my sustenance and wellbeing. Finally I must strive to be at peace where possible with others and at war with the only adversary, Satan and sin itself.
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5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Stepping back to verse 4, which reads “The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil” we then are told that everyone like this is an abomination to the Lord.” The word abomination used is a תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת toebah or detestable item. Other passages use this word of loathsome or undesirable and fit for destruction. This is not a casual word. It is a word of action. I liken it to animal waste as I have a current furry companion. We play fetch, and walk, and throw the frisbee. He also has to eliminate waste which I have to clean up. When we look at verse 5, we are told that if you are proud of heart you are an abomination.
Thankfully, our righteous acts are like filthy rags meaning you and I could never do enough to warrant God’s grace and mercy to fall on us because of my righteousness nor yours. It is instead something all the more loving and gracious. It is Jesus Christ, God’s Own Son, Who did live a perfect life, die and execution that was completely undeserved, and then in my place and yours be raised from the dead thereby sealing the deal on salvation’s availability to all!
6 By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
Here we read, in the Old Testament, by mercy and truth God made atonement. How? We know now, by the only Christ Who said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (cf. John 14:6). So to round out verse 6 in Proverbs with verse 6 in John 14, we see that Jesus is that atonement made for wrongdoing. He is the Truth! I love the interplay with the Old and New Testament’s!
7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
This would seem to run counter to the logic the world gives. Yet to use a relatively recent agreement between the U.S. and the Muslim world called the Abraham Accords. You can read them here: https://www.state.gov/the-abraham-accords/
Yet just over 2 years ago, we were living under peace between the Muslim and Judeo-Christian cultures of the east and west. I believe that while it may be possible for a time, one day the world will come to full subjection to Christ alone. It is not for now that peace will be permanently issued. It is only by the Prince of peace that you and I can find the everlasting peace with the Father of Life!
8 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.
Therefore, though we do have “a little” for now, it is better than great income by ill-gotten means. Do you know why? One day soon, for those who have received the free gift of salvation offered by Christ Himself that “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:6).” We may for a brief time have a little, we have so much greater in store.
9 The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Hence, the mind of a person plans…This is particularly pointed as I do love to plan. But as I’m getting just a little older, I also recognize those plans need the flexibility to be changed. There needs to be a plan b, and plan c, and plan d because just as the second part of that verse states: “but the Lord directs his steps.” The life-span you and I have on this earth rarely touches 100 years. In the 10,000 years we have had on this earth will seem like a blip when we reach the shores of heaven. When the earth is recreated we likely won’t even recall the old earth. So rather than worry about how we’re doing to plan for 30 years from now, I’m going to settle my plans in the King of kings forevermore!
Blessings as you continue, grace and peace as you go!
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
My heart is broken. In part for what I see and hear around me. We are told elsewhere by the Savior in Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full (NASB)”. I am not asking anyone but my Savior Who loves me to forgive our country. Forgive our murders. Forgive out abominations and much like Noah did in his day. Do like what done in Noah’s day and save though there be only some who will repent. As You say in Genesis 6:7-8 “Then the LORD said, ‘I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.’But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” May You find others who have found favor in Your eyes.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news refreshes the bones.
As we seek others to share and encourage, I ask that our demeanor and our attitude be as those of all times who bring good news of Your salvation! I pray for revival that starts from the heart of the home and reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth.
31One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke will stay among the wise.
Father I pray that many will hear of your chastisement and turn. Not turn in terror and flee but turn to You and be saved! Thank you that Your hand is kind and compassionate to those who turn from sin and evil and relent to You! Thank you that You call them wise who seek You while You may be found!
32 One who neglects discipline rejects himself, But one who listens to a rebuke acquires understanding.
I ask that You would shape me and shape Your church to understand others so that we together might live on purpose for the only purpose that You came to do, seek and save that which was lost! Thank you that You saved me, my wife, my children, and are saving to the uttermost all who would cry out to You.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.
Father thank You that in being corrected, chastised, and turned around, we find only compassion and embrace. Thank You that though your correction often is stern and unchanging Your face is bright and unchanging as well. You love Your chosen! Thank You for instructing me as to the way of life in Your Word. Thank you for teaching me thus far to fear You is to love You only as a Father is loved by His children. Thank you Father for loving me. Thank You for loving this world. Thank You for saving all who would repent. Amen.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
Following up on the discussion of “dishes of anger” the writer indicates the hot tempered stirs up strife. Akin to the cook in the kitchen, when a pot is stirred, sometimes the meal’s make is revealed in how it’s uncovered. A hot-tempered person stirs up angst and strife by simply overlooking, assuming, and accusing. An even tempered or slow to anger person calms a dispute because he or she is looking for ways to diffuse and make peace with opposing parties! As Christ says in the New Testament (cf. Matt. 5:9), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
19 The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.
Riding on the highways of Donegal, IE earlier this year, I was amazed at how the Irish farmers had literally hedged in their property lines and protected their sheep by simply planting hedges. This verse 19 says the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, meaning that the hedges were both a barrier and a painful reminder to go a different route. Yet for those who are following the Savior, He leads His own on a highway around and even through the barriers and by virtue of His stance above the hedges, makes a way and leads His own through the proper pathway!
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Notice the impact. For the wise son, his father is glad. His mother is obviously glad to at the choices her son has made. Conversely, a foolish man despises his mother, as well as his father but the impact is the same. Wisdom draws the correct persons to the Savior. Folly draws the incorrect persons to the foolish.
21 Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, But a person of understanding walks straight.
Carrying on with the notion of folly and wisdom, foolishness is joy to the one lacking sense because he or she does not see or know the end. Like unto my dog Sumo, when he wanders outside in the rain storm, normally he gets wet, turns around and comes barreling inside from the rain. He is lacking sense. However, a servant of the Most High God serves his brother and sister and in so doing walks straight in the service of the King. Moreover, they do so not out of duty but joy. They relish in the idea that service to others by leadership of the King of kings bright joy to the heart and growth to the body of the Church and Christ!
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
If we are to serve others, in most cases, it is within the context of the Church to allow a “multitude of counselors”! This is not professional yes men but rather iron to sharpen iron to allow for the growth of the body of Christ and growth in the arrow to be fired to pierce both bone and marrow!
23 A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!
Have you ever spoken an untimely word? I know I have. Advice that was not requested and moreover not needed. Maybe instruction when the intended target already knew how. Our words can be helpful and also harmful. That’s why in James it speaks of the tongue as a fire! But here, we also see that an apt answer or a timely word can bring life and brightness to a dark situation!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, So that he may keep away from Sheol below.
Likewise, the path of wisdom leads closer to Him! In contrast, Sheol is the only alternative. That is why elsewhere in Scripture it states that “today I present life and death”.
25 The LORD will tear down the house of the proud, But He will set the boundary of the widow.
As Christ explained in his parable to the disciples regarding the house built on a rock versus the wood. When the Lord visits the house of the proud, He will tear it down to reach the inner dwelling of the person. Again in contrast, the widow, who already was living a life of somewhat scarcity as her beloved had passed on, is protected and her boundary set and protected by God Himself!
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, But pleasant words are pure.
Plans have a number of outcomes. Here the Scripture deals with the evil plans contrived in the hearts of mankind. Using some of the strongest language in the Scripture the evil plans are an abomination. Checking in the Hebrew, the language here used is evil plans are תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ) something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol. Conversely again, pleasant words are pure or pleasing to the Lord!
27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
Shifting to a practical premise, if you profit illicitly, you will bring trouble not only on yourself but others who live with you. Moreover, further revelation in the second half is that he who hates bribes will live, in part by virtue of not having to deal with further payback for the bribe! In as far as possible, pay for what you own. Not to say a gift is an unwelcome thing, but be prepared for those “gifts” that come attached with a favor requested in return. I’ve seen Godfather enough times to know, pay what you owe so someone doesn’t come looking to make you an offer you can’t refuse!
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Finally for today, ponder the question before you answer. In Scripture we are admonished in multiple places to think before you speak. The heart of the righteous should think on the “how” to respond rather than blurting out the first thing that pops into their brain! The righteous one seeks not only if they should answer but how they should answer. Admittedly they should not simply seek to fill up the space in the ether but rather to carefully and intentionally respond. Otherwise, much like a glass to full of whatever inebriation that’s been poured into the person’s noggin, they will spill over vile ideas to their embarrassment and likely embarrassment of others!
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
1 – Whether in marriage, parenting, vocation, friendship, relationships, enemies, or even the adversary, of which there is only one, a gentle answer often turns away wrath. This is to be misunderstood as a falsehood, but a gentle answer or a properly delivered truth turns away wrath. It reminds me of a saying my grandmother used to say that “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” which in the summer you wanted to do because otherwise they would bite you! There’s a time to swat the pest, but consider the enemy is sin and Satan, not your seeming earthly opponent. Reconciliation should be sought as much as possible!
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge pleasant, But the mouth of fools spouts foolishness.
How small did you feel the first time you began to perceive just how seemingly insignificant you and I are in the grand scope of the universe? There are literally millions of planets, stars, galaxies, and more! Yet for all of this vase cosmos, Jesus died for you and I! Knowledge, of the Holy One, is the most amazing thing we can ever experience. Yet rather than meditate on the infinity that is Jesus Christ, we want to spend billons of dollars attempting to find out how many degrees cooler earth was millions of years ago. I’m no scientist but I know that we have more pressing matters of today than looking back into an artificially fabricated past trying to find out if it was 75 degrees or 76 degrees! Read His Word then seek out practitioners of His Truth in light of this, like http://www.answersingenesis.org.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
Initially this verse struck me as an overbearing watcher peering into every nook and cranny of my life. However, as I’ve grown older I recognize that though Jesus does see me everywhere and at all times, its because of His great love. Jesus is there in our deepest hurts, in our times of sorrow, in our times of great joy, and at every other time! If we would but recognize He is there then He can join our time of emotion offering aid and comfort!
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
Again hearkening back to my youth, my tongue was not primarily used to encourage and uplift others. I was a vile, braggadocios, punk of a youth. What’s worse, as my wife and I were blessed with children, I began to understand some of the difficulty my parents had in raising me. However, as Leslie and I attempted to steer our children away from the same enticements that we ourselves recognized, I realized how much love Christ has for all.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.
Carefully taking note of the sentence construction a fool (of the type of child) rejects his father’s disciple. The child should submit to discipline for his or her own good. However just as many others I’m sure do today and just as I did growing up, we try to do things our own way. Often it is only in our own failure that we will learn the why of something turning out awry. Thankfully, Jesus use’s the teachable moments to mold us in the fires of life into the permanent cast of Christ. That is why the second part of the turn states that compliance with rebuke is sensible. Again, to have made the same mistakes often bolsters our understanding! For me, I picked up smoking in my youth. From Camels to Malboro Reds, and then when I could get it a Swisher Sweet I liked the flavor and the “taste” of the cigarette. However, once I figured out what eventually my lungs would look like by the grace of God, I stopped! Sensible by the grace of God!
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
Take into account here, the great wealth is in the house of the righteous. Not earned but already there. Then in contrast, trouble is in the income of the wicked. I believe this is significant. The wealth of the righteous is found in the fruits of the Spirit! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3nlSHzags) Consider Christian that we have been given eternity, with the King of kings, dwelling in a mansion set in the heavens in bodies that do not decay forever with Him (see Revelation 21). Wealthy righteousness indeed. Conversely, trouble is the income or duly
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
The lips are a dangerous tool to be sure! Lips used to spread the gospel, to spread the good news, and even to correct those who are goes astray are rightly used tools! The hearts of fools refuse to spread knowledge because from the heart they lack the ability! What are you filling your heart with because from the heart the mouth speaks (cf. Matt. 12:34)!
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Here we see something so poignant, so profound, ad so tragic. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination…What about all the prayers being offered from Mecca? What about all those being offered up at the wailing wall in Jerusalem by devout Jews? What about those mantra’s being chanted by the devout Hindi’s? To this I would simply ask, “Who are you praying to and who’s name are you asking?”. The upright are only those who have bowed the knee and asked Christ to be Lord of their life and friend forever.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
Such a plain contrast is displayed here. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. Not that God is mildly displeased. It is an abomination. It is ceremonially and completely unclean. That is why it is so tragic to see so many trying so many different avenues and even operations trying to reach or attain to their notion of god. There is One God Who’s name is Jesus Christ. He is the Trinity which I will not even begin to explain but rather only to accept by faith! What’s more, He loves us and is pleased when we pursue righteousness. Notice not when we attain righteousness but pursue. That is because He is righteousness. He is the possessor of righteousness. So when we pursue Him our attentions and efforts are molded by His hand. We find Him in pursuit of Him.
10 There is severe punishment for one who abandons the way; One who hates a rebuke will die.
For one to abandon the way can end in death. Note this does not say eternal punishment for the one who abandons the way. There are those who will be in heaven who we will never suspect to have bowed the knee to Christ. Unfortunately, there will also be those who we thought would be there as well who never asked Christ to be their Lord, Master, and Friend. Punishment is not death. Running from Him isn’t necessarily death. Just as Peter even denied Christ three times the night of Jesus crucifixion, we can return. However, we do need to understand that returning to Him requires correction, instruction, and often difficult trials of learning.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of mankind!
Regardless the location and realm of Sheol and Abaddon, Christ knows them and created them. They lie open before the LORD because He knows where every one will go. So as the Scripture states that the contents of both Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Him, Christ also knows the intentions, decisions, and ultimate destination of all!
12 A scoffer does not love one who rebukes him; He will not go to the wise.
A scoffer here is likely not someone who sneers or one time turns their nose at Christ although that could be the only chance they are given. Rather it is he or she that consistently sets their heart and jaw against Christ. That is why they will not “go to the wise”, i.e. enter into eternity with Christ.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
I was reminded of Job in this discussion as job confesses after the loss of his children, his wealth, his livestock, and his life as he knew it. “He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.’ Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God” (Job 1:21-22, NASB). Job’s heart certainly was sad and his spirit broken, but Job still had hope to come.
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
I could not help but consider the “talking heads” of the news. All news. Every news source has its bias. Every news has its prejudice. Every news has its stories that are covered wrong. I vacillate between Newsmax (www.newsmax.com) and OANN (www.oann.com) but even they have bias. The point being that while the intelligent seek knowledge too often I exchange news knowledge with Godly wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of that so if I am not being edified or challenged in a Godly way, I must carefully discern the truth according to Scripture and then “spit out the bones”.
15 All the days of the needy are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Here is a verse which I should meditate on daily. The days of the needy are the same as the fat and happy. The decision on whether they are bad or good largely is determined by our reaction to the day. I can say now, some 20+ years after the first bleed, and a few years after the stroke, it seemed bad at the time. However, now being on disability, having published a book, having comfortably settled in a quiet town in a comfortable home with food in the fridge and cars in the driveway, I am blessed. None of this is guaranteed but instead a blessing from the Lord. So rather than tick off the things I don’t have I will choose daily to be grateful for the many things I do still have!
16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure, and turmoil with the treasure.
Going back to the previous verse, my reaction to that day could be restricting and defining as a negative turning point in my attitude and actions going forward. Or I could be increasingly grateful for all that I do have for this short time on earth until my Savior calls me home! In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 we read “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.” I will strive to be one who is happy and content with Him.
17 Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
I chose this as a stopping point only because of the jarring admission of the verse. “Better is a portion of vegetables…”? I like vegetables to some extent, but a plate of salad verses an ox steak is no contest! The passage author is seemingly the same. In the passage the author contrasts vegetables & love vs a tenderloin lightly braised with hatred. Guess which one you should pick?
Finally, I’ll put a link to a past time of mine in high school under the 4-H banner, “meat judging”. https://meatscience.org/students/meat-judging-program/national-4-h-meat-judging Under the umbrella of 4-H, it was a red meat kind of past-time in the cool of the meat freezer. It was pretty fun and a great temperature (<40 degrees in the freezer). Little did I know that my life would be directed, even through the freezer, to seek the Lord while He can be found! In meat judging we literally judged cuts of dead meat (cow and pig) to determine their cut type, quality, and color. The team of 5 or 6 of us I think that I was on actually won the Alabama state meat judging competition 2 years in a row. Both times we won state we went to nationals. For the first time we won first in the state and went to Kansas City I believe. The second year we placed 2nd and went to Colorado Springs for nationals. Why do I say this? Just as we were rewarded by simply preparing and correctly identifying and placing dead meat for the state, so should we correctly prepare to give an account for the hope that is found within us at all times!
12 There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.
In the context of the passage and the greater corpus of Scripture, time and again we see the life-work of various persons try to “do right” only to be met with frustration and roadblocks which cause them to question themselves, their motives, and eventually God Himself. Such is the “way” that seems right but ends in death. If we try to do or accomplish such feats, it will ultimately fail even if it temporarily succeeds! The end is not earthly success nor temporary prominence. The end should be to glorify God with our very existence such that we might be used as a testimony to draw others into His fold!
13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
Contextually speaking, this is further illustrated by a guarded countenance and a masked smile. That’s why the end of joy, the end of pain, can be chosen to be ultimate joy from the outset. Guard your steps oh believer as the ultimate end of being before the King of kings should be our goal always. If that thought causes you fear, perhaps you ought to reconsider Who you are living for and through.
14 One with a wayward heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good person will be satisfied with his.
One with a wayward heart will follow scheme after scheme and trifle after trifle. It is this insistence on the temporary that leads to a distraction from the eternal. And this can happen to the believer as well! That is why the author here indicates the goal is to be satisfied in Him!
15 The naïve believes everything, But the sensible person considers his steps.
Here naïve is to believe every ad, every piece of advice, every correction, every admonition. Yet for those who live in a place called reality, this is precisely where discernment comes into play! Naiveté gives way to true discernment as we live out this life. As we see that the promise of payday loans gives way to tremendous loan interest. As we see that a variable ARM loan balloons to an untenable next payment we learn why we probably should have not gotten to the agreement in the first place. Moreover, there are countless other real world examples but the point being, listen to Him rather that worldly advice that leads straight to debt and angst.
16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
I liken this akin to a young bull chasing heifers, as I was living on a hobby farm for a time in my childhood. A wise person, or bull, carefully and cautiously approaches the catch pen with suspicion and trepidation knowing that something is up. A fool rushes into the head-catch only thinking about impregnating another heifer! Carnal though it may be, too often humans are so caught up in their own sinful desires that they completely overlook the obvious warnings that otherwise would tip them off to now, “I should slow down and be cautious!”.
17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, And a person of evil devices is hated.
Bypassing the bull illustration, a person that is quick tempered becomes one that falls into traps and evil devices because of their insistence on revenge and hatred of the other. That is why rather than letting hate be our primary motivator thereby evil devices created, we should love! Love covers a multitude of sins after all (cf. 1 Peter 4:8)!
18 The naïve inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
Here we have an interesting dynamic. From the context of the passage, the information given to both the fool and the wise is the same. However, the interpretation of the fool is further foolishness. They don’t get anything from it but further angst! Yet the same declaration to the sensible (see, “wise”) are given the crown of knowledge learning from the former generations’ misdeeds and misgivings what not to do!
19 The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Here may be speaking of the world of the living but given the context of Scripture, I believe it is primarily speaking at the end of time. The evil may for a short time give cause for the “good” to bow down to them. Yet just as Jacob and Esau did in Genesis 33 ultimately God will bring about His great salvation!
20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
The poor is hated as just as many today are destitute and taken advantage of. Here in the U.S. we often are out of touch with the true plight of this. Yet even so, the notion of hating someone simply because of their station in life is not Scriptural. We might have been or be one day in the same boat!
21 One who despises his neighbor sins, But one who is gracious to the poor is blessed.
Coming on the coattails of the previous verse, the author declares that despising your neighbor is sin. Why? Simply hating or even not liking someone is dead set against the attitude and created purposes by God! Jesus died to save all. All includes you and me. All includes they and them!
22 Will they who devise evil not go astray? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
A foreign concept to me to devise good, but as it states, devising evil creates further destruction. Juxtaposed with this however is one who devices good therefore further kindness and truth will be imparted to them!
23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
Finally, all labor leads to profit, both to the employer and employee. However talking about what you and I will do can lead to poverty. This is not to say that planning isn’t and important part of doing. Yet just as James captures it, specifically in the NASB 1995 says “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” We don’t want to be deluded into thinking we are doing something for God. That is blasphemy! Rather we are doing something with God’s empowerment accomplishing something greater than we could ever imagine! And I cannot wait to see the purposes accomplished by Him as we make our feeble attempts to follow! On to the fields, there’s a harvest to be reaped!
Certainly that was a long title but I wanted to continue on the thought of why that’s (Taliban’s seizing control of Afghanistan) a bad thing. Last time we looked at a few of the motivations in the Koran as to why the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan was a bad thing. To be honest and clear, the last post was the lesser of the 3 that I want to do. This is because though we understand in the Koran there is a definite desire expressed by some of the Muslim people to setup a global caliphate and eventually cause everyone to submit to Allah. Such is not the desires of a Christian. Here I do not mean a non-Muslim by calling one a Christian either. I mean a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I mean one who has surrendered their life, their will, and their existence to Jesus and is willing to follow Him where-ever He may lead.
We touched on the Muslim motivation for deceit in looking at “Arabic: تقیة taqiyyah” and the principle of deception that is innate within the Muslim religion. What I want us to view today rather than delving further into the depths of Islam is instead what the life of a Christian would look like who is whole-heartedly seeking and serving the Lord. With this, let me be clear from the outset, while the Christian performs these actions as an outflow of their life as a means of service and love, the Muslim does them out of fear or duty.
I want to look at two opposing views on the restoration of the world to the Supreme Diety’s rule and reign. In the case of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, it will be a glorious time of joy and restoration as Christians dwell in the new Jerusalem on the new earth (Rev. 21). There will be no more death, no more disease, and no more wars after Har-Magedon (Rev. 16:13-16). Christ will dwell with His people in the new Jerusalem forever more on the newly created earth. This is the glory, joy, and mercy of the loving Savior Who gives specifically to all who call on the Name of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10). Man I wanna go today! Bear in mind though, in order to enjoy the riches of His mercy you and I must bow the knee and repent, admitting that we cannot do life on our own but solely through the mercy of Jesus Christ!
The other view, though it takes any number of perverted manifestations as much as their are demons in hell and persons on earth, is everlasting punishment. Please understand this torment was only created for Satan and his demons. It was not meant for you and I. We are cast into hell and ultimately the lake of fire only if we do not ask Jesus to save us but no one was originally created with the intention to die and burn in punishment. That is why the tragedy is so poignant, stinging!
For all persons who refuse to submit and be loved by Jesus Christ, they will suffer an eternity of punishment, pain, and suffering that Jesus ultimately paid for on the cross at Calvary. However, if because of our own desire to pay for eternity in our own merit, in our own good deeds, and in our own strength, you will burn for eternity. This is because you did not simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him into your life as the only acceptable payment for your sin. That is why hell is really never meant for humans because you and I never, even after the fall, were meant to be left alone to “do life” on our own. Jesus has always been there with open arms beckoning you and I to submit and be loved!
One fine point I want to draw out in the contrast between Islam and Christianity. I am not saying a specific flavor of Christianity because over time denominations and labeling has changed. It is my belief and conviction that all those who have confessed and believed. To be abundantly clear, the Apostle Paul writes “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10, NASB). You might say, “what about the Old Testament?”. That’s simple as well. Just as Abram believed, in the OT, “Then he believed in the LORD; and He credited it to him as righteousness (cf. Gen. 15:6, NASB)”. Salvation belongs to our God Jesus Christ. All other religions, all other paths to heaven will fail because they are built on the principle of building a way to God. Jesus died on the cross to pay our debts and pave the only way to Jesus by His own blood running down from the cross to cover the sins of all who will call on His name.
Rather than get bogged down in geopolitical politics. Rather than getting discouraged as the nations rage and rattle their sabers at one another. I would submit the question raised in Acts 4 “‘WHY WERE THE NATIONS INSOLENT, AND THE PEOPLES PLOTTING IN VAIN?” (Acts 4:25b). Do you know why? It is because they cannot stop the forward march of Christ as He has already claimed His throne and now simply draws all who He has called to Himself! Nothing can thwart the forward march of Christ! So as we look at the fall of Afghanistan to Muslim rule, don’t despair! Jesus has preserved a remnant of His own from that nation too for the end of days. Friend, Jesus is not taken by surprise but rather is taking His own to share the Hope that transcends this brief life. I stand with Him in Him. Won’t you too?
As an aside for a couple three posts, I wanted to used the schooling I have received both at Dallas Baptist University and at Liberty University along with my own independent study to briefly address why I believe the issue of the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan is a bad thing for the west, for the world, and specifically for Christian believers. I will be brief but know I’m backing the assertions made up with volumes of research that you can do on your own if you have questions. So without further adieu, I’m going to break down the players, the question of violence, and then the projected outcome based on the sides’ own historical actions.
The question we are trying to tackle is simply, “why is the Taliban’s seizing control of Afghanistan such a bad thing for the world?” We will turn our focus back to this question at the conclusion of each section. First, the question of Afghanistan being a bad thing for the west. To this point, I offer a quick reminder of what happened on September 11, 2001 from this photograph from Reuters:
I can remember sitting in class at Dallas Baptist University when our professor stopped class and turned on the television. It was a surreal event and has since that day, claimed even more lives and resources as Presidents Biden, Trump, Obama, & Bush all have had their presidency at least in part defined by their response to the attack and correspondingly their responsibility to the outcome of that attack.
Now the roles and players in my mind, need to be defined because lives have been lost, waters muddied over time, and resources wasted at least in part by those simply not defining who is at war with the U.S.. Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the gulf in general are not at war with the U.S. Their are people and citizens of the culture and regions in part are, but as a whole, all of the population of these countries and or regions are not wholeheartedly against the west. This is important because we must attack those who we are at war with. As I see it and read it, we are not at war with a region of the earth. We are not even at war with a religion as a whole because many of those persons in that part of the world are not devout or as the news often would say “radicalized” Muslims.
It is this term radicalized that I have to note as being misused. Using a copy of the Qur-An my father brought back from Saudi Arabia by my father as a souvenir from his time in the middle east. As a transportation commander in the U.S. army during the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91, he got a parallel English and Arabic translation. In it, I read these words:
“Anyone who, after accepting Faith in Allah, utters Unbelief, except under compulsion, His heart remaining firm in Faith-but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on the is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful chastisement.” S. 16.106
This is to say, if you as a devout Muslim utter unbelief except in a circumstance as to deceive the person to which you’re speaking for the purpose of advancing the cause of Allah, you are doomed to everlasting punishment. Wow! I am thankful that Jesus Christ paid my dues on the cross at Calvary so that I am not held to the same strict adherence! And please understand, this is not my opinion but what the Koran actually says, direct from its scripture. Now that was one example of the craft of deceit or as Islam understands it Taqiya. This word as best as I understand it is تقیة taqiyyah, literally “prudence, fear”.
We have seen that taqiyyah in Islam is a a fear of Allah and so to trust in the word of a Muslim if you are not a Muslim is shaky at best because they may be purposely trying to deceive you. Again, I’m not trying to stoke fears or misunderstanding, only to ask what is the purpose of Islam? If you look in the Christian Scriptures, we read in Matthew “But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin (Matt. 5:37, NASB).” There is no need for deceit because with Jesus, yes is yes, no is no! To highlight this, Jesus knows we get ourselves in a mess of words and deeds quite often. Thus, the Islamic “virtue” of taqiyyah is nothing more than an excuse written straight from the hand of Muhammed, inspired by the pit of hell!
Before I leave this topic with such a stark and abusive speech, let me be very clear. I am not trying to abuse any person. The inhabitants of this world all live a short life and then are bound to an eternity of their choosing. What I am attempting to do is simply give the world an opportunity to see the choice we make on a daily basis for the gospel of Christ or the pit of hell. Those are the only two options. As Christ said “The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters (Matt. 12:30 NASB). For the Christian, it is a one time decision in trusting and placing their hope in Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 10:9-10). Then comes a lifetime of following Him into the fields white unto harvest! Thus when we surrender to Jesus Christ He indwells our hearts and gives us the seal of His Holy Spirit as a sign for all eternity.
So to answer the original question, “why is the Taliban’s seizing control of Afghanistan such a bad thing for the world?”, I suppose it depends on which side of the world you are on. And in this I don’t mean which side of the globe you’re on but rather which side of Christ you are on. For those who have trusted in Christ, the wars, the deceit, the murders, the bloodshed are seen as the birth pangs of a coming age in which “…the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:1). For those who have not and will not place their faith and hope in Christ; Muslim, Sikh, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, or any other attempt to make God okay with you, will ultimately fail.
To wrap it up, I want to finally speak on the meaning of Jihad as spoken directly from the Islamic scripture. In the Koran, Surah 9:14 “Fight them (infidels, unbelievers) and Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them help you (to victory) heal the breasts of believers.” This is but one of a number of passages from the Koran which “radicalized” Muslims take to mean to attack Christians, Jews, and other religions. So, it is my belief, that regardless of how many times I hear the nonsense from the media that Islam is a peaceful religion, I actually agree in principle. The term Islam does truly mean derived from the Arabic word “sal’m” which literally means peace. However, the peace that Islam is referring to specifically means peace through war. Once Islam has conquered every other belief system, then the Muslim world believes it will have “peace”.
Therefore, if you are a Muslim and you are reading this saying “that author just doesn’t know what they’re talking about” I offer this question, “by what means or what efficacy qualifies you to get into heaven?” For me, it is nothing that I have done. I can’t. Rather it is by the life, death, burial, an resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross on Calvary that I believe. It is nothing that I have done but rather what Jesus did for me. No amount of conquering is necessary because I believe that Jesus Christ already conquered death, hell, and the grave for me. I am going to do something that previously I haven’t done, but I am going to allow comments on this posting. If you need Jesus, please read the gospel of John in the New Testament as a start. Read the compassion, hope, and forgiveness offered by virtue of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. If you need to find a church, find the closest one that preaches Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Friend, don’t lose hope and don’t lose heart. If you’re reading this, Christ gave you another day to find Him. Don’t wait.
Grace and peace as you continue, blessings as you go,
5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness declares lies.
As I was reading the Scriptures this morning, I was looking over Proverbs 14. Verse 5 specifically and succinctly states that essentially “if someone is trustworthy then they shoot straight.” Yet then the Scripture states a false witness declares lies. Again, not a particularly earthshattering statement. As I was also going through chapter 1.5 in the book Malformation I had highlighted “Jesus Christ is a redeeming Savior. He redeems the time, redeems the interests, redeems the relationships that you have.” (Malformation, p. 15). I believe that just as Proverbs 14:5 says “…a false witness declares lies.” Satan loves to lie to our faces and say essentially “you might as well give up!” “There’s no reason to continue.” “You can’t do that anymore.” “You’re too old.” “You’re too young.” Well the good news for the believer in Jesus is that you have an Advocate who stands on your behalf! Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy!
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
A scoffer is looking for wisdom, but looking for their own sordid gain. For the one who is genuinely seeking however, they will find! Look at what the Lord said to Jeremiah “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). So what is the way to keep it easy? Keep close to the Lord and expand that relationship! As you go throughout your day, include and consult Him for more of it! Then as you seek His input, He gives you more of Himself!
7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
This is not to say we shouldn’t be in the world and not of it (cf. John 15:19). It is more to say we are to be in the world and speak into that context the truth of Scripture! Note here in proverbs it sates you will not “discern words of knowledge.” You and I must consort with the foolish. Yet in our dealing with them we should not seek to be like them. Speak words of truth in abjection to their lies!
8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
One of the necessary components of wisdom in the very little time I have had on this earth has been the recipe ingredient of time. That is why often the aged have a greater understanding of the way things are and the way they will become because they’ve see this before! Thus, if you need understanding on how to approach a problem, consider the aged! Understanding your way often needs the wisdom of those who have done the same thing and survived! Conversely, you can go it alone and then mislead when it turns out bad for you as well!
9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is goodwill.
If you scoff and mock at sin saying “that’ll never happen to me!”. Beware! There are a lot of hours where you and I can sit and read of all those who went before us saying the same thing! Learn from your mistakes and the goodwill you might experience is the mercy given by those who have made the same mistakes you and I just did! I will never understand those who say they’ve never done thus and so when I know that in my own heart I have! Therefore, I am either 1. a much more awful sinner than they or 2. the same as they only they have not figured it out yet!
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.
For the heart to become embittered, there must have been wrong either self-inflicted or inflicted by others. A stranger does not share because the embittered heart requires possession of it. Thus, to be embittered a very personal and introspective viewpoint is needed. Don’t become embittered but embettered (yes that’s a made up word!). Taking the prefix “em” to mean “put in or into, bring to a certain state” and bettered (Online Etymology Dictionary). we see only the Holy Spirit can give us a renewed perspective!
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish.
Finally, we note that the house of the wicked will be destroyed but the tent of the upright will flourish. This flies in the face of logic. In a hurricane I want a house not a pup tent. Here though, the house will be destroyed I would surmise because there is essentially termites of sin which eat away the very beams which hold the lofty deceit around your life! In the same breath, the tent of the upright and uplifted because though the storm may be strong, the Lord Who controls the storm steered the winds around the tent! Oh may the Father over the winds and the rain steer our lives through the storm such that we are built up and drawn together to praise Him in the midst of His greater purpose on the earth!
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked 1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
I know this speaks of the actions and attitude of one singular “woman” but here I believe it to speak of a woman in the sense of wisdom being personified at times as a female as it seeks the Lord. That being said, the woman who is wise seeks to build her house or in other words invest and create a lasting wealth that will extend beyond this world. (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). When investing, when spending, when budgeting, look at the numbers as a gift from God. As such, what do I need to allocate toward the church (a tithe, offering, or gift)? What do I need to allocate toward my dwelling (rent, mortgage, or other living expenditure)? Then what items on my “radar” do I have that are tearing down the investment of the future? And that is where I need to cut of or trim down.
2 One who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But one who is devious in his ways despises Him.
This hits me every time I read it differently as I am now at a different age, time of life, and vocation than before. Specifically the second part, “…one who is devious in his ways despises Him.” What areas of my life supposedly are yielded to the Lord but I harbor some secret sin or devious desires that perhaps no one else can see but I know in my heart. This is devious, to which the idea of scoffing or lifting one’s head in superiority over another. As we grow in our relationship with Christ let us not forget that we were persons defacing, unfollowing, and feigning our allegiance to Christ!
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them.
Taken to mean one with a loud mouth will catch himself with his own words in a lie. The lips of the wise flap less and speak more calculated. Oh how I wish this were me but I need to learn to shut up! This year I have spoke less for this reason but often I find the danger with my words lay in their haughty and gaudy verbiage!
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
I love this verse specifically because I know what it is to clean out stables! Growing up on a small farm we had to periodically clean the stalls from goat refuse, cow refuse, and horse refuse! Then at DBU, I took a volunteer position shoveling horse manure again! This was not because I love the smell of animal waste! It also was not because I particularly was at peace with the smell of the farm (I am allergic to most hay!). As the second part of the verse mentions though, must revenue comes from the strength of the ox. How does one bring it into the 21st century? I believe it could be said that value comes from doing the mundane. Washing the dishing by hand. Mowing the grass rather than hiring out to have it cut. Changing your own oil. These small tasks bring about a respect for those who do that for a living and it brings in revenue of time and money that would be otherwise lost! I had my children dig a hole in putting up our fence to get the dog. Yes perhaps it was cruel and unusual punishment. However, now when Sumo barks or when he affectionately lays against one of them, they can appreciate all the more his existence by providing for him!
19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
20 One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, And the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Abundant food is in the uncultivated ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.
24 He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.
Continuing on the previous heading of “Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked” subject, the author continues in highlighting the outward and inward differences between the man or woman of righteousness and of folly and abject error.
19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
Remembering in verse 18 the author states “Poverty and shame will come to one who neglects discipline, But one who complies with rebuke will be honored”? This sets the context of the verses that follow. In verse 19, we see that when desire is realized or materializes, it is sweet to the soul. There is a genuine sense of satisfaction when a deed or task is done. Perhaps it is graduation from school. Perhaps it is the accomplishment of doing the dishes (yes, I have celebrated doing the dishes, especially when my mind is somewhat less responsive than it was before!). As it says though desire realized is taken to be that point or strata or when plans become a realized reality. That is sweet!
Yet is a strong hatred literally, from Strong’s Concordance “תוֹעֵבַה, olaites or tonebah {to-ay-baw ‘}; feminine active participle of ta’ab ; properly, something disgusting (morally), ie (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol – abominable (custom, thing), abomination.” The point being it is of the strongest violation of both sense and right to turn from evil! I do not try to be political but as a stance for the things of God and against the policies and positions that grieve the heart of Jesus, I cannot and will not support a candidate who murders infants and the unborn. That is my effective hill to die on. My prayer is with those who are in power right now that they would see the fetus is not tissue but a living creation endowed by the Creator Jesus Christ and as such has the rights, power, and abilities that give them their unique position of authority on this earth!
20 One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm.
This is such a simple principle but do I observe it? One who “walks with wise people” means surrounding yourself with those who challenge you to serve others in serving the King of kings. If I look back at my brief career in IT, did I leave the majority of those whom I helped with a better picture of who Christ is by how I treated them and helped them? I hope I did. Did I leave the majority of those whom I counseled and shepherded in the ministry with a greater understanding of Who Jesus is or did I point to myself as a great example of who to believe in? I hope others saw Jesus and not me. Do I leave others, in reading Malformation: when bad things happen to the right kind of people with a greater appreciation of the Savior Who saves or a faulty amazement at myself and my “abilities”? I hope to point others to Jesus and declare “only Jesus saves!” Contrast this with the Biblical fools who suffer harm because they refuse in their own faulty abilities to amaze and entice sinners to sin.
21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
In reading this verse I was challenged. Do I have it easy going and without adversity? I must be doing something against Jesus. Yet as I survey the Scriptures time and again I’m reminded that those who preached the gospel both Old and New Testament knew something of adversity. Be it Job in the OT who lost his family except his embittered wife, his servants, his children, his livestock, and only gained his friends wrong opinions. Or perhaps Jeremiah who saw his homeland ransacked and the people of God carried off by a foreign adversary. Or even again in the New Testament the Apostle Paul who recounted “…Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers…” (2 Cor. 11:24-26 NASB).
My point that as a believer in Jesus Christ, expect troubles; Also expect glory. Only do not expect the glories to be found primarily on this earth!
22 A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, And the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
I am so thankful that my life and its riches are not the balance of the bank account. As a believer in Jesus Christ and a survivor of brain arteriovenous malformation ruptures, I have unfortunately not been able to build a substantial career. This is due in larger part to every time I have been in a career type field, I have either been let go from that place of employment or have been unable to sustain my health to the point of being able to work. It is humiliating and devastating to consider that my health has unfortunately made my road and consequently the lives of those I have been given charge over for a brief time difficult. Yet the God who saw that Proverbs 13 was penned in the canon is also that God Who saw John 14 was penned as well which refers to our eternal resting places with Him!
23 Abundant food is in the uncultivated ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.
Following the discussion in the prior verses, for the diligent and fervent worker, their is “abundant food…uncultivated ground…”. However, the 2 caveats are the uncultivated ground of the poor meaning the poor who have not cultivated it because of negligence or waste and the poor in recognizing what is right and wrong. A poor in spirit as Jesus referred to in His sermon on the mount is one who recognizes that they have nothing were it not for the good graces of a Sovereign Savior. The contrasting poor is those who have not cultivated it due to an inability of time or physical limitations. In this verse, the injustice is not defined, but the wrongs of society are all to many to mention as we each face injustice clawing at the door to our lives.
24 He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
A seemingly contrary verse to modern sensibilities, but I support spanking. Perhaps caning is bit harsh but here speaking of corporal punishment. Cited from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporal_punishment
Prison corporal punishment or disciplinary corporal punishment, ordered by prison authorities or carried out directly by staff, such as was the practice in the Australian penal colonies.
Corporal punishment is or was allowed in some military settings in a few jurisdictions.
I am not going to follow down that rabbit hole. The text can speak for itself. I believe the focus of that verse need be in the one delivering the punishment. As the Scripture states “he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” That follows there is a presence of guidance and fatherly love into which their is a free flowing communication and child rearing. Certainly you would not want a stranger to come into your home unannounced and begin beating your child! Yet for a parent who is with the child day in and day out. For the parent who has guided, encouraged, disciplined, and corrected their child’s mistakes, there is a place for Godly discipline. To round out that verse, it needs also to be made obvious that it is in a parental relationship where love is the key binding factor. This is why punishment of such a gravitas is used only in the most weighty of offenses!
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.
The final verse is alluded to in other places in the Scriptures as well. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1 Tim. 4:8). Thus, the righteous will learn a greater contentment in Christ as his or her relationship with Christ fills up more of their desires. So, it follows that in order to be filled up and fulfilled in Christ, we have the duty to find our satisfaction only in Him, that it might be overflowing to others as the day approaches!
7 There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
Interestingly enough, living in the era with both the Old and New Testaments completed, we have the benefit of both halves of Scripture. As such the verse before us in Jesus’s words in Luke 12 stating “This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God” (cf. Luke 12:21). The person who does not flout his wealth and be sure to be noticed because of his wealth effectively has his reward. This passage speaks to the proper place of wealth in a person’s life. The hold of wealth should be lose for the opportunity to cling to the Savior.
8 The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.
Again, the dichotomy of a person’s life being wrapped up in his wealth often will lead to a fading hope of cheating death. Yet the sooner one realizes the inevitability of their life ending, the sooner one might be able to use what life they have been given to give back to the Lord!
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
I have wrestled with this verse in particular as I just recently turned 40 on the 25 of July. At 18, I was not expected to make it to 19 because of a bleed. But the Lord was merciful and had decided not to take me yet. At 28, again I nearly lost my life to another bleed. Still the Lord did not take me. And again at 38 my brain bled. Again, I expected to be taken home to be with Him forever. Again the Lord wished for me to stay. All this to say, be sure that your desires do not outstretch in the opposite direction. Instead as Job said “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…” Job 13:15a.
10 Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
To go along with the previous verse, those who are overconfident in themselves with find it difficult to achieve something never to be realized. Instead, all along, we are meant to receive counsel often prior to facing the tragedy or difficult impasse!
11 Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles, But one who gathers by labor increases it.
As my wife and I have learned being married since 2004, life does not give but take. The Lord gives and takes away. The difference being that with the Lord, He sustains whereas life drains you until you are used up! The Lord uses you until you are filled up with Him! We ought to be faithful workers and trust that the Lord, our Master and Friend, will not give us more than we can bear through Him!
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Be wary in misunderstanding here. Hope deferred does not mean we are not to wait and persevere. To have hope deferred often describes the Christian walk! Are we not to “wait on the Lord”? Are we not to “be still and know”? But where our faith is placed I think informs the consequences of waiting. Hope deferred for that “thing”, that “gift”, that “inheritance”, that “car”, that “house”, that “relationship.” All these “thats” very quickly can be nothing more than idols! But if we wait on the Lord, we will find that our strength increases and our faith is bolstered! Become the tree firmly planted in the soil of gratitude thus producing the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (cf. 1 Cor. 13).
13 One who despises the word will do badly, But one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
In teaching my children I find so often I am nothing more than a poor example. I read the Scripture and share that with the family only to later that day prove to be exactly opposite. This is where my fear of man or fear of the temporary consequences is greater than the eternal far of the Lord. Instead if we fear the commandment thus we obey, we will see fruit from it!
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.
The teaching of the wise is the teaching to fear and serve the God of love! It is not that He is your Divine taskmaster assigning and declaring what shall be done. Rather, He is the loving friend and Savior Who patiently and lovingly guides us to greater service and purpose in His world. This is why the second part of this verse speaks to the alternative. The intention of life is to love Him therefore love others and thus serve Him by serving others. The snares lay in the temporary trappings we see each day.
15 Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is their own disaster.
To understand, to truly understand Who God is, allows us to delight in Him for He has such great love for His own. Conversely however, if we get hell-bent (and I use that word intentionally for that’s exactly what going our own way is!) on doing things in our own power, then we will fail. Not only will we fail, but we very likely will destroy some intention that was to be used to build others up in the kingdom as well!
16 Every prudent person acts with knowledge, But a fool displays foolishness.
Elsewhere we are told in James 1:9 “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger…” That knowledge referred to in Proverbs is what James was speaking of as well. Knowledge at times chimes in and speaks out as to the evil that is occurring. Likewise, the other side of knowledge is at times to hold back until such time as the appropriate party is there to listen. That is why the second half of the verse says to display foolishness is the activity of the fool because the time for correction is either not at hand or already past.
17 A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful messenger brings healing.
This points out a position that I have found myself being in, neither of which I wanted to be in! There have been times I have purposely and deceitfully stretched the truth or told an outright lie. I am saddened to have cause harm but it is by the grace of God we live not the law! This is however I suppose one way we can examine our own conduct. Are we bringing the healing balm of the Savior into the equation or are we purposefully for our own gratification trying to malign the injured party? Be healers and not hoarders!
18 Poverty and shame will come to one who neglects discipline, but one who complies with rebuke will be honored.
Finally for today, “Poverty and shame will come to one who neglect discipline” from the outset is a serious accusation. Yet as I examine my own heart, I see this tension constantly at work. I can’t drive anymore, but what have I done with the time I now have to encourage and lift up others other than wallowing in my own self-pity. Christ was both God and man so that He might relate with and truly be the perfect Substitution in my place. Thus instead of being so concerned with what I haven’t done, I instead should be amazed constantly with what He has done!
This is why the second portion of this verse states “…but one who complies with rebuke will be honored.” From the Pulpit commentary “To listen to rebuke and to profit thereby is a proof of humility and self-knowledge, which wins respect from others.” Though not Scripture, the mention of the gain of humility and self-actualization that we are deficient to the point of eternal damnation is the idea. This whole idea is straight from the pit of hell. We are bound for hell but for the grace and mercy of Christ risen from the dead! There fore, if I have touted myself or my own abilities depart from me evil deeds! I need to lean in to Christ and allow Him to show me my sins which are many though hidden!
Thanks for reading! Starting this summer, I’m going to be providing a quarterly newsletter entitled “Earthen Vessels” adapted from 2 Corinthians 4:7. In 2 Corinthians the Apostle Paul says “7 But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves…” Specifically what the Apostle Paul is speaking of is the dichotomy between having the privilege of being saved by belief in Jesus Christ as opposed to trying to do and say and strive and make God love us. For those who have called on Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, the striving stops!
The newsletter surely will adapt and change as time goes on. Yet the intention is to share true stories of how your life has been changed whether for the better or worse. Second, it will be an opportunity to know more of how there is goodness and mercy that can only be understood by those who have been saved by the Only King of kings, Jesus Christ.
Hopefully, June 1, 2021 will be the first edition. So stop on by and sign up for the newsletter. Be encouraged, be challenged, and be at peace for those who have called out to Jesus. If course if you haven’t read “Malformation: when bad things happen to the right kind of people”, pick up your copy from Westbow Press, Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com, Christian Book.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, or other fine retailers.
Blessings as you continue, grace & peace as you go!
Author: Malformation: when bad things happen to the right kind of people
The book follows the personal life of Paul McMonagle as he deals with and suffers from continued discovery of the disorder know as arteriovenous malformation or AVM. Further, it details the hard lessons learned both in treatment and in post treatment adjustment to this new life.
While certainly not a lesson of the right things to do all the time, it does offer one insight into the choices presented and the Savior Who redeems.
The book is available in softback and hardback today and e-book in the upcoming weeks.
Blessings as you continue and blessings as you go!
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.
The providence of the passage seems to be in that wise both acts prudently and seeks fellow persons who will sharpen their wisdom rather than wasting their time with worthless fellows. The actions of the individual are made more pronounced by the mention of the way here. Countless times in cinema we see the impetuous, brash, “leader” fall into a trap. Then as a turn of fortune another leader arises from the group who turns out to have leadership potential all along. This lesson is so ingrained we may not even recognize it. Nevertheless the next cinematic event you watch, see if the hero or heroine has some help from another unlikely member of the party. This elevation to hero is part of the lesson here! Listen to sound advice and see if your wellbeing is not better for the purpose of continuing!
16 A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
I struggled with this one as the older I get the quicker my anger is kindled. First and foremost it is at myself as more physical faculties fail. As the author writes that the fool’s anger is known at once, I should be willing to conceal the anger if for no other reason than look just a few chapters further and find “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Thus, don’t stir up anger and don’t mess with the hornets’ nest! Be prudent by not embarrassing or stirring up dishonor. Much like the NT principle of dealing with a brother or sister in Christ in private first!
17 One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.
Further words in Truth vs a lie, one who declares the truths found in Scripture speaks what is right. Perhaps this would saved me from too often climbing out on my own limb of logic. Grounded in Scripture the only One Who can then be attacked is the One Who has already won! Contrarily, if you and I lie, we muddy the waters and become part of the problem not the solution!
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
I could not help but think of our political climate in the United States when I read this again. There always is someone speaking ill of another. The very nature of our political system is two contrary parties who have at times diametrically opposed means to achieve the same end. This is why I believe it is more important for the sides to both recognize that they do not represent 100% of their constituents. Perhaps the second part of the verse that the tongue of the wise brings healing speaks to what the political class needs to do in stemming and soothing the wounds still fresh on both sides!
19 Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
The words spoken, when spoken from His Word will endure forever. That is why if you don’t know what to say perhaps it would be best to either not say anything or if you feel compelled, to quote Scripture. That say, you avoid being a lying tongue!
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
If you track what is being said, deceit, deception, and the like are seated in the hearts of those who seek to avoid correction or be entangled in sin. The alternative to this is fairly simple be a counselor of peace. This is not easy. In fact, its contrary to our natural desires. Often my first instinct is straight from the pit of hell. That is why I must pursue the Prince of peace and then in the pursuit recognize His remnants of peace should be the pattern by which I should live my life!
21 No harm happens to the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.
This is not to say that troubles will not be present. In fact, we should count on them. But rather than being “…filled with trouble” we rather should be beset by trouble and then cling to the Waymaker! Likewise then we can then further showcase His faithfulness and provision in the midst of our trouble. For me I think back to Job who lost nearly everything! Yet in his loss he did not lose his belief that God was still good and still righteous though Job’s friends and wife thought otherwise!
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
This is a carefully worded sentence that has hit me all the more sharply as I have been faced with numerous points of stretching the truth (lying). The lips that lie are an abomination. They are utterly and completely devoid of redemption and straight from the pit of hell. All sin is, but the action of quoting or telling a known mistruth is in no way characteristic of the One Who declares only Truth! Friend, we must speak the Truth of His Word.
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
A Christian, who is prudent, conceals knowledge at times. Though initially an odd verse, it is abundantly clear in thinking of a variety of situations in which telling the truth right at that instant would not benefit anyone! This is not to say that the truth is never spoken. Rather it is spoken at the right time! Rather than spouting words that would benefit no one, speak right words at the right time!
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
Though you may say at various points in the lives of the saints this was not true (Joseph as a slave in Egypt comes to mind). ultimately it was true. Moses as a wayward shephard being elevated to the deliverer of the Israelites from Egypt to the cusp of the Promised land. And so on the story of the people of God continues to this day. The hand of the diligent will rule because their tenacity and determination on clinging to God gave them an ability to persevere (cf. Rom. 5:3-5).
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
The contrast to a “good word” is intimated as a bad word. This is represented as “anxiety.” And truthfully more than most times I can see the anxiety of lockdowns and home restrictions is playing a toll on society. I am visually impaired, brain injured, and as a result in the restricted class of persons. But I’ve been under these CoVID19 restrictions in Virginia from March 12, 2020 until the present (March 4, 2021). As the vaccines roll out, the progress truly is amazing. I say this as a homebound person though, my only interaction with the outside world the the occasional trip to Wal-mart or Kroger. This is effectively a twilight zone day in and day out. I am grateful to the men and women who developed so quickly a vaccine for the disease. However to the many who find their lives upset for far longer than this disease, there is a Hope greater than a vaccine!
26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Perhaps more to come in the days ahead as the vaccine, a righteous person can guide their neighbor to the light of Christ! The wicked way is leading all to destruction. The righteous has the opportunity of interacting with their neighbor as supernaturally interacting with others in such a way as to give them the opportunity to witness a changed life!
27 A lazy person does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a person is diligence.
This is perhaps a double meaning but we will take the Word at face value. A lazy person does not roast his prey meaning he or she does not prepare their food or their plans. They just “do”. I’m reminded of Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” This is perhaps one of the best examples of the wickedness left to simmer. Certainly one would say that he was novel at getting his collective energies and resources together. But his ability to muster a number of resources was used for evil and not good!
28 In the way of righteousness there is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
Th way of righteousness is a narrow road indeed (cf. Matthew 7:14). For those who seek life everlasting, the only way is with Him! For the vast majority otherwise, there is death and punishment! The tragedy is that the only difference between life and death lies in a simple surrender of lordship of life to the loving command of the Savior of the world, Jesus. Finally don’t miss the unspoken Truth hinted at in verse 28, in its pathway (the pathway of the righteous) there is no death. You and I will die. This is the inevitable temporary punishment for the fact of the fall (cf. Gen. 3). It is here though the individual who has responded to the call of the Savior by saying “yes, please receive me into Your arms,” is transferred from eternal death to eternal life. Don’t you want the forgiveness of Christ once and for all? Blessings as you go!
6The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood, But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
Continuing in the theme of the righteous vs the wicked. We look at a section of text that for me is drawn all the more clear by our current presidential administration’s declared policy on life. By Geneva Consensus seen below we will see the two adminstrations’ difference: President Trump Administration: “
On Thursday, October 22, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and HHS Secretary Alex Azar participated in the virtual signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a historic document that further strengthens an ongoing coalition to achieve better health for women, the preservation of human life, support for the family as foundational to a healthy society, and the protection of national sovereignty in global politics.
The document was co-sponsored by the United States, Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, and Uganda, and co-signed by 32 countries in total, representing more than 1.6 billion people. Secretary Pompeo said in his remarks, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States has defended the dignity of human life everywhere and always. He’s done it like no other President in history. We’ve also mounted an unprecedented defense of the unborn abroad. … Today, we’re taking the next step, as we sign the Geneva Consensus Declaration. At its very core, the Declaration protects women’s health, defends the unborn, and reiterates the vital importance of the family as the foundation of society.” -Oct. 22, 2020 signing. Then, as one of the first actions of the Biden administration “These excessive conditions on foreign and development assistance undermine the United States’ efforts to advance gender equality globally by restricting our ability to support women’s health and programs that prevent and respond to gender-based violence,’ Biden said in a memorandum to his Cabinet https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-ronald-reagan-mexico-health-07bbd77ae3abc37804d4970e473d06ca”
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
Perhaps not for this brief time and not this brief administration, but the lives of the millions of unborn children terminated because of the choice of the mother and father will be answered. The wicked are not necessarily the mother’s who choose to have these abortions however. They are the individuals who willingly and knowingly support and encourage the termination of life. Again, this sin is no different than any other sin that in turn separates us from the Holy Jesus. Yet look at the contrary, the “house of the righteous will stand.” This I take to mean that the person who is willingly wanting to serve and please the Lord will have an everlasting peace and joy found in Jesus Christ.
8 A person will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised.
For the mind of the one seeking the Lord in whatever his or her life they will have times in which their wisdom is praised. Just as 1 Corinthians 1:21 says “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” The one who loves the Lord, serves the Lord, and fears the Lord will be praised because of their insight. This is because “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 1:7, NASB).” Thus to be praised from on high your mind must be “…on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).
9Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
This is not to endorse slavery or highlight a class system. This is merely spoken in the context of the culture in that time. One who has a servant was one who was moderately or more wealthy. The life of a person who had wisely utilized their gifts, talents, and abilities was one who did not speak highly of themselves but spoke highly of others! Notice also one who “honors himself” is one who often “…lacks bread.” Put bluntly for today’s terms, “shut up and get to work!” (Paul’s wildly worthless paraphrase)
10A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
I love dogs. Not cats. Not hamsters. Not turtles. Dogs. We had Kung Fu and then Sumo. Earlier growing up I had Shorty and Rush. Needless to say I protected and provided for these animals as best I knew how much like I learned and was taught by my parents. Likewise, I am attempting to show my children that when we take ownership of a new puppy, their life is effectively in our hands. Therefore it is imperative that we model taking care of the animal as God takes care of His own.
11 One who works his land will have plenty of bread, But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
There is a marked difference between leisure and levity. We ought to have concern for and appropriate dealings with the cares of life. But by the same token, we ought to not take too seriously the cares and charges that we can do nothing about! This is not to say we ought not pray. However in our current context if we have little we can do about the matter, then we ought to commit our worries to the Lord and move on! One who works his land will provide for the needs and concerns of the day. However one who needlessly forgets and lackadaisically omits. to care for what is given should expect consequences for his or her actions!
12 The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
Perhaps this is speaking to the ruler or the supervisor but the wicked person desires the abundance of the wicked. The difference in plunder and crop in my mind is the means by which it is attained. The plunder is a collection of stolen goods that is limited and stolen by virtue of its type. Much like a pirate of yesteryear, there was no plan to plant or till the soil to yield the crop. In the same way, the wicked desire to steal, kill, and destroy (sound familiar of Satan?). Yet the righteous planting yields fruit because the soil was nurtured and tendered. The rains gave their yield nurturing the plant to a mature peak. The crop yielded its fruit because of the care invested by the farmer! It took work but it yielded a harvest!
13 An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble.
No more clear a picture in Scripture for me at this juncture than a focus on truth. An evil person will not speak the truth because he or she is caught up in their own lies! Likewise, the truthful will escape from the same trouble by the fact that they told and tell the truth. Oh if at times the political class would simply tell the truth, and that is of all parties! Oh if at times the news would simply tell the truth, and that is of all stations! Oh if at times the parents of the children would simply tell the truth, and that is of the consequences of their poor decisions. Oh if at times the worker would simply tell the truth despite the feared judgement that may come down by the supervisor though likely it will simply be an adjustment to expected schedule. My friend, tell the truth! As Balthezar Hubmair said “Truth is immortal!”.
14 A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
For a person to be satisfied, truly satisfied, one must learn to be content with that which the Lord provides. If we are attempting to provide for our families and the Lord is providing only the minimum livable daily bread and water we should be thankful. The Lord is providing bread and water to sustain us. If the Lord is providing wine and cheeses we likewise should be grateful! This is not because we are better, more righteous, more holy, or simply more important than others. Instead it is part of Jesus Christ’s divine plan into which you and I are placed. We ought because of this to be willing to say “yes, Lord” to whatever lot or allotment the Lord provides knowing that ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ should be the intonation by which we live our lives.
1 One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
So the chapter opens with a blunt and succinct passage. I would guess in part because there are some verses and ideas in the Christian faith that don’t need flowery dressing up and curly-cues. They are hard truths that must be clearly defined and spelled out. I personally have been relaxed these past four years under President Trump in part because I knew that because of his stern talking to the adversaries they knew that he was a man of his word and his threat! I suppose it remains to be seen if we will see that from our new president. I pray that we will. Regardless of political affiliation however, we do see that inscribed for all eternity is the written Word which tells us loving knowledge means you love discipline. A chastening from the Lord is hard to live through! Yet as His hand sustains us through the fire, I suppose it is a drawing closer to Him during the discipline that creates a greater love and joy for Him after!
2 A good person will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a person who devises evil.
A “good person” is not by the world’s standards but one who fears the Lord, who loves the Lord, who enjoys and delights in His word, this is one who will obtain favor. Lest we assume we are all in this position of favor, remember He will condemn a person who devises evil. This means though His arms are extended to all who would believe, His same hand of reproof is ready to discipline those who devises evil!
3 A person will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
Perhaps this is exactly what I needed to see and read today. The legacy of an empire or remembrance of a personality will not be established by wickedness. History may record him or her but not in a favorable light! And truthfully what history records is not the record we should be concerned with. Instead, what the Lord says and what the Lord has done in our lives to establish His banner over us is the matter we should be concerned with. After all for all redeemed believers “He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love (Song of Solomon, 2:4, NASB).
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
There are many examples in Scripture. I cannot help but think of Job’s wife who said “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). The antithesis of her wicked insistence can be given in a number of Godly examples. My wife, Leslie, is the best in my opinion! She is not a perfect example but a perfect example for me. Likewise, for those who are married your wife is the perfect example for you! Just as you and I are a fallen flawed example of what a husband should be to his wife, so is your wife, though beautiful and a wonderful compliment to you, still a fallen sinner! Therefore to close the gap between the Savior and your wickedness by falling at the feet of Jesus with your spouse.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
Following this is the migration to the though life of a believer. You should dwell on the Savior and if married thoughts of the care of your spouse and family! How can you bless them, protect them, provide for them, make them smile. Thus rather than think about yourself think on dwell on others specifically your mate! Finally if you and your mate are estranged, as a man, as the lead, and the one who should take initiative, pursue your wife! Delight in the wife of your youth (cf. Prov. 5:18)! Friend I know it is hard right now with marriages struggling, income fluctuating, and your future uncertain. Rest in the promises of the truths of Scripture. All others will eventually pass, but His love, His promises, His provision is forever! Blessings as you go!
Yesterday was a nightmare. Whether the “Proud Boys” (a neo-right wing who does not represent the sentiment of most on the right of the law), or the Antifa wing of the left represented by those radicals bent “…just like those far-left sites, they sought to use the latest news story gripping America as a vehicle for promoting their belief that behind all conflict, division, and suffering there is a Jewish hand pulling the strings (https://www.state.gov/anti-semitism-conference-2020/framing-the-challenge-triple-threat-far-right-far-left-militant-islam/)” In the picture, guns were drawn in the Capital because of the unrest brought about by distrust in the election process and a general unresolved conflict felt by likely all persons who call the United States their home. The question is, why?
Proud BoysAntifa
John 17:22-23 NASB
“The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.”
The unrest I posit, is not an issue with political ideology at its root. It is rather a heart issue that stems from an unresolved conflict with the Creator of the universe and a yearning for rest. Let’s look at what the Scripture has to teach us today.
Proverbs 11:1-31
1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
First, the righteous measurer of deeds and goods will have the pleasure of their conscious at night and the levity of a clear mind during the day. There is no correcting a measure after the fact. I carefully submit, I do not know what really took place at the ballot “dumps” that took place early in the morning at the polling locations. Whether they were scheduled uploads to the ballot central server or they were tampered ballot entries the general citizen may never know. However, the Bible says that “…the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” This is to say, that the crookedness of the sinners will be their downfall. I am a registered Republican voter. I’m not 100% straight line ticket however. I vote based on the research I have done to the best of my ability and the stances the candidates have espoused over time and in public. Yet we are all sinners. We have all made mistakes. Thus, I vote with the understanding that though I make my desires known, God has chosen the person He desires to use. After all, God planned for Herod to rule when Jesus was born!
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
In verse 4 we are told riches don’t profit in the day of wrath. Notice though that righteousness delivers from death. This is to say, that though ones life may be impugned and made difficult for a time, it is not given to death. The righteousness of the upright is the way by which their deliverance comes. It may be from some person the righteous was kind to earlier in life that now takes the turn to help. It may be some righteous deed that had long been forgotten which turns to help. But in the same way, those who are treacherous, planning for their own profit, will be caught in the same way.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of strong men perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, But the wicked takes his place.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
We all die. The question is do we all live? You see that when the wicked perish, their expectation of excess is gone. The strong man dies. The wealthy man perishes. Those who live in luxury die in the same way those in poverty. Death is an equal opportunity destination. That is why when we destroy or malign a neighbor, our words are difficult to recover! Instead, through knowledge the neighbor and the saint can be delivered! Just as Moses told his adopted family of the plagues and the judgement to come. Moses sought to save not just his own family but the families around him. Use your knowledge to help the unknowing!
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
For those in power, as they live their lives the publicity given to their office is largely the jury as to their righteousness. Again the office of the President comes to mind as it is on the news for now. I supported President Trump when he came into office. I liked his support of the pro-life positions. I liked his support of limited government. I liked his support of peace through strength. We have survived 4 years without starting a new conflict and ended another gulf war. That is saying something!
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.
When the neighbor moves in and begins doing something foreign to us, that is not reason to revile or criticize. Perhaps it is time to introduce ourselves and join in the work! the second part of the verse tells us “a man of understanding keeps silent.” Though perhaps stretching the verse but as we are given two hands and one mouth, let us join in the work with a neighbor and then perhaps we can interject from time to time the good news of the gospel.
13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
This is self evident. If you are a “blabber-mouth” you’re going to tell secrets. Following along, if you are trustworthy you will keep your mouth shut. Every person doesn’t need to know everything. The idea of confidentiality is a legitimate ideal. If you are want to become a trustworthy person learn to not direct the conversation to the person in question nor the subject in concealment!
14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Long seen as an enigma to me, the first half I get. You need guidance in a number of fields and disciplines. The second half though says that in abundance of counselors there is victory. This seems to contradict common sense. Yet hearing the Scripture we are met with the principle that when making decisions that will affect a number of persons from a number of different vocations and locations, it is best to consult a number of persons from all walks of life!
15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
The phrase is relatively clear, but the doing of it is all the more precise. Being a loan holder for another puts you in an odd spot. For a bank or a lender, that is from individual to company. For a person to person, you have then become effectively a lord over the other. That is why it says a “guarantor for a stronger will surely suffer for it…” The guarantor of a loan cannot have a relationship with a borrower without the undertones of ownership weighing into the mix. As many a person may do in borrowing money from parents or for a big purchase, even that relationship is marred by debt. That is why it does state that one who hates being a guarantor is secure in my view because they are giving a friend or family member goods. Perhaps a better way is found in James 5:11 where James states “We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” What did Job do? He gave. He gave of himself. He gave of his goods. He gave of everything. Then in the end, he received eternal life!
16 A gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches.
Easy enough, a woman of grace attains honor to me valued and pursued. Ruthless men attain riches but these are not without strings attached!
17 The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm.
Again to the reader, this verse brings to mind Jesus words in Matthew 12:7 “But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” God desires mercy rather than quantity of stuff. As the Lord created everything He hardly needs any thing to be given! But mercy, a trait to rarely shown in the lives of His people, is the character of the Living God!
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
The wicked will receive payment. The righteous receive payment. But the difference lay in which is a reward! The wicked receive recompense for their duty. The righteous receive reward for His faithfulness!
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
As the lesson from the tortoise and the hare speaks, “slow and steady wins the race.” The life of a brain injury survivor is even slower than most. Yet in this plodding I am finding the Truth of His faithfulness in spite of myself. Praise God that I am not the only one holding on for dear life! Instead, He is holding on to me as I walk.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight.
The wicked and perverse in heart are an abomination because they take what is given and use it for their own selfish sinful desires. But those who are redeemed are His delight for He is the One Who told them to walk. If I may be so bold, just as a dad is so proud when his children takes their first steps, infinitely so is our Heavenly Father so overjoyed when we step out in faith to Him!
21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
In this verse we read the evil will receive his “reward” but not for one time but for all time in the lake of fire! The descendants of the righteous conversely will be delivered by their testimony and faith in Christ!
The final say in the election for my part is this. Though I may be a Republican in many of my votes, I am not bound to this one political ideology. I have seen many a Democrat ideal that sounded good in principle. I have seen many a Republican ideal that sounded good in principle. I have seen many an Independent ideal that sounded good in principle. For those who have called out to the Lord and have been saved by confessing with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in their heart that Christ raised from the dead, we have a duty. This nation is not going to last forever. It will go away. So as far as the present time, you and I have a duty and responsibility to pray for our leaders and submit to authority (cf. Romans 13:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-17) so long as the authority does not contradict Scripture! Remember that “Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.” And with that, blessings as you go!
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
At the outset of this we are given the “who” in the equation. And who wrote it matters because by giving us a “who” we can look in Scripture to see if there is any information given. And we’re told Solomon who, although he was noted by the Lord as the wisest man who ever lived (cf. 1 Kings 4:30). Yet his instruction in wisdom often comes at the price of one who sits and retells how he got this scar and that wound. He has been through much of his life as one who has made mistakes but has been forgiven and restored. Note how Solomon states that a wise son makes father (David) but a foolish son is grief to his mother (Bathsheba).
I could not help but reflect on the “how” Solomon got here. David, through sin and wandering eyes had seen Bathsheba bathing nearby in another house. As a result David sent for her and went in to her. When David found out about this, David took Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed! Needless to say that Solomon’s beginnings were not the most upright! However God in His mercy used Solomon to teach us that it is not how you were brought into life but rather how you leave life that impacts you for eternity!
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death.
Ill-gotten gains or perhaps more modern “Money, power, respect is the key to life” (19990s hip hop song). The music video and the song echo what many in this life seek. The problem being that there is never an end to the money, the power, or respect you crave. Instead, the second part of this verse indicates righteousness delivers (literally snatches or rips away). As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This is not to say that if you seek the kingdom of God you’ll get healthy, wealthy and wise. Instead it means that your life will be use by the Lord to accomplish His purposes with You both aware and alive in His great favor!
3 The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.
Here we have further understanding granted that Solomon declares the Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger…” Here though we must be careful to take this in its strictest literal sense. There are tales of men and women of God who have starved for a morsel of bread. Again as Jesus expounded “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). Moreover Jesus will reject the “naughtiness, naughty, perverse thing” (Strong’s, hava’) of the wicked.
4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
This verse especially resounded in my own life. Though to be sure I have from time to time worked negligently, much of the time I endeavor to do my best with as much skill and understanding as I possess. The key to this is not only skill however but determination! The hand of the diligent (חָרַץ) or to cut, sharpen, decide is best used when it is used over and over! Life is not a sprint but a marathon! As one of our children has taken up running, I am perplexed by her determination. Cross country is not a race against others but a race against the clock. Each time, each meet, each step is a steady onward pressing to best the time from last time. Diligence is needed to stay in shape and stay on path!
What is more our eldest child is a swimmer. She is racing the same only in the water. It is not a race against other persons but rather against the clock. She is told her time from last time and then races in the water to best her previous time. I am so incredibly proud of them both but I cannot express how important it is for us all to run (or swim) in such a way as to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24, NASB)?
5 He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
Setting the stage for appropriate rest and work, the author writes that he who gathers in summer is a wise one. He who sleeps in the harvest makes a shameful decision! In Ephesians 5:14 the sentiment is further expounded by the Apostle Paul “For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.'” We as Christians are allowed to effectively “sleep” and let those who are passing into eternity without Christ slip through our fingers. Friend what if we get to interact with and be a part of someone else’s salvation testimony by the Word of hope shared with them however?
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Setting one against the other, blessings for the righteous very well could be to see a bigger picture and a brighter future than those who’s eyes are blinded by hatred, vitriol, and prejudice. In the season we just came out of, I was so disheartened and disgusted by both sides of the political spectrum, I hope that our nation’s believers will inject some hope, peace, and truth back into the airwaves. Currently the only consistent source of Truth I can find is the Scripture, which I suppose was the point in the first place!
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
The word used for “memory” here is only used 6 times in all of Scripture. It means the recollection. To draw up memories of those men and women who have gone on before or we have had the privilege of interacting with is looked on with fond recollection. Conversely, the name or reputation and recollection of the wicked will rot. Suffering from multiple brain bleeds and having my long term memory just recently return, I know this shell is fleeting. But recalling those who have gone before will give me hope for the future!
8 The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined.
One of the finest ways to receive wisdom is to shut up! And I write this to myself! You have been given two ears and one mouth. Let that be the proportion you give and take advice. A wise heart is supple and flexible. To receive wisdom we must receive commands. To receive commands is to receive heart change and schedule change. Am I willing to wake up earlier to spend more time with Him? Am I willing to stay up later to spend more time with my wife and children? This life is brief. Let me be the type that dies listening rather than one who gives out demanding orders be followed!
9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
I will not touch on politics other than to say that the truth of this past election will be found out in eternity. For that time epoch it won’t matter, but for this day and age, I so desire that the truth come out. If our current President legitimately did not receive the electoral college votes to win the white house, so be it. However, if President Trump did receive the necessary votes and is denied the White House by cheating, I pray that sooner than later the culprits and conditions will be uncovered!
10 He who winks the eye causes trouble, And a babbling fool will be ruined.
Here it is speaking of a practice that is even used today. When one “winks the eye” it is understood that he or she does not really mean what they say. And what does this do to the confidence of the one making the arrangement whatever it may be? How would you feel, marriage partner if the minister presiding over your wedding “winked his eye” while the vows were said? What would you do if when purchasing a new car the dealer winked at the desk while you signed the papers? The point being you cause trouble when you decrease the confidence of those who are conducting business with you.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The righteous elsewhere (John 4:14) are said “…but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Violence is the natural man’s way. It is why God destroyed the population of the early world for violence and preserved only Noah and his family (cf. Genesis 6).
12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
In verse 12 we have a short portion of verse but it is so important and so memorable. We know that hatred stirs up strife. Anyone who has a brother, a sister, a spouse, an ex-spouse, a boss, a co-worker, or any other human relationship knows that there are many a cases of fault to find. But just as we can find fault in others we also must realize we cause fault against ourselves as well! So rather than explain why we were right, why not admit that we were wrong and offer your contrition!
13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
If only I could be one who is discerning but rather find at most times contrition only comes after my admission of guilt! In order to discern wisdom, hear the words of the half-brother of Jesus “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger…” (James 1:19b). Also there is the rod of the back or the eviction notice because of skipped payment or the roommate dealing drugs unbeknownst to you or any number of real life situations that we must muddle through.
14 Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
Note that wise men store up knowledge. If you find yourself often without words and without wisdom, perhaps you need to be more in the Word and less in the world. To see this played out in any number of examples but I think of the most recent election which will not be certified until President Trump or Vice President Biden to be takes the oath of office to become our president for the next four years. Be the type of persons that has wisdom and knowledge to spare. Spend time in His Word. Spend time meditating on His precepts. This way, when it is time to speak, you will speak from the abundance of the hope that in within you from Jesus rather than the mired and mucky mess that is your inner man.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress. This is to be commended with caveats because their wealth can be obtained legitimately and righteously. But friend, don’t trust in your wealth or fortune to pay your way to heaven or the hearts of any person. You must “…do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” As you perform these actions, your fortune will be stored up in the heavens and your hope will grow in Him!
16 The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment.
The wages if the righteous is life to be sure. But for those who have faced loss, or faced disease, or faced crippling separation, or any number of other feelings of despair should recognize, earth is not our home! Rather we should understand our income is to come in heaven! As He says elsewhere in the interim the fruits of the sprit to obtain! Remember Galatians 5:22-23a “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” You want life here? Set your mind on things above and let the Spirit of God display the fruits of Him in your life!
On the other side, understand that for the wicked, or all those who refuse to put their hope in Christ, punishment. This is not cruelty or injustice. This is rather just and a right punishment for refusal to submit to the One Who gave His life for you. Friend, if this is you why do you not submit to Him! Blessings as you continue!
9Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing.
14She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,
15Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight:
16“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding she says,
17“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
As we continue, let me be frank. I despise wisdom. Better said, my carnal flesh hates wisdom. It (my flesh) is diametrically opposed to the things of God and the fear and love of the Lord. And thus as such, we have a problem. In verse 9 “Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.” This is to say the righteous man (or woman) in the eyes of the Lord will receive instruction and be wiser. What is not said is how they would receive this instruction. In my opinion. it can potentially be from anywhere but for true admiration and understanding of the Lord, it must stem from His Word! Therefore, if you are to receive the instruction given, your wisdom will increase therefore equipping you to do more, see more, be more effective in Him!
Next, as follows in many walks of life, “10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Apply that to any number of situations, vocations, callings, employs, extracurricular activities, or even vacations! Fear Him in the King that He is but love Him for the kind and approachable friend He can be! That I believe is perhaps something that I have missed too often. I see Jesus high and lifted up on His throne, all too often though removed from the approachable position as a friend. I sing “what a friend we have in Jesus” from afar because if I really believed that, I would crawl up in His lap and rest. And I mean this in no effeminate manner. But just simply to rest. To gain true understanding (from Him) and rest.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
How to understand this? Honestly there are days I no longer want to live on this earth. I’ve had enough, I’ve seen enough, I’ve done enough, I’ve bled enough, I’ve taken enough. Or so I thought. Then I look to the cross and see that He bled and died for ALL that I have ever done and all that the world has done. So, to see that my days will be multiplied seems to be an opportunity the Lord provides to use you and I further as a blessing to others potentially. Not that we are or necessarily will be. Rather it is yet another offer of mercy and grace by the Father to extend His forgiveness to all who will call on Jesus’s name!
As a warning “12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” I have taken this multiple ways, but I believe the correlation in Galatians 6:4-5 is best “But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.” You’re boasting, your gloating, your good ideas, and your follies and failures you will be responsible for. The good news is that despite my failures and yours, we can have that debt paid in the light of Christ’s forgiveness and grace. Not that humanity’s debt is paid automatically but for those who surrender to the greatness and grace of Jesus, their debt is paid in full!
13 The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing.
Remember this woman of folly mentioned before? Now we are formally introduced. She is כְּ֭סִילוּת (stupid), הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה (boisterous-loud, growls), naive (to be spacious, wide or open (פָתָה) perhaps better said for today “open-minded” when it comes to the existence of many paths to heaven. Further she “knows nothing.” Now do we have any points of similarity with this personification of open-mindedness and today’s culture? Too often you hear the phrase when passed away loved ones come up in conversation, “well at least he/she is in a better place.” To make that true assessment, the person must have trusted in the Savior Jesus Christ or else they are going to be burning in torment for not trusting in the only Savior. This is why it is no laughing manner and there is no life wasted for all humans should hear the salvation story of Jesus Christ!
14 She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,
She (Ms. Folly) sits at the doorway of her house but the high places of the city. Ms. Folly is sitting at the doorway to conduct her business of impropriety. She is allowed to construct her place of business in the city because man (as in man and woman) are drawn to sin. Further, it is in the high places because in part we all are drawn to our pagan sinful desires. In borrowing from a more recent cinema experience, Kylo Ren from Star Wars states “Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It’s the only way to become who you were meant to be.” I’ll spare you the spoilers, but at least in that scene his reasoning was sound. If you are bound by your past, understand you live in the present and can be destined for an eternity of joy with Jesus. However, this is only if you have placed your trust and hope only in Jesus! Forsake the high places of the city and cling to Jesus!
15 Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight:
It may seem an odd place to stop mid-thought, but this passage resounded with me this morning. The target of the woman of folly is not only those who seek her. It is those also who pass by her and are attempting successfully to make their paths straight! Do you know who this might be? You and I if you have trusted in Jesus! Those the woman of folly is targeting is those who in their daily walk are being conformed to His image (cf. Romans 12). It is exactly those who are attempting to seek the higher things, the narrow way, the smaller door. That is who the woman of folly is crying out to.
Friend, if you are on this path and finding it difficult to scale the heights, hold on to Him! This photo below it just before my wife and I peaked out over the Blue Ridge valley below from Sharp Top.
1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
To set the context of this passage, we must set it amidst the discussion of the time. Thus in chapter 8 we read “1Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice?” Once we get that context you read now that Wisdom has already built her house…” What does this mean? The wisdom of the Lord is already established. The wisdom from above is already built with the comforts in knowing both what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. The understanding mentioned only occurs in reflection on the event! Thus, the only way to cope with the tragedies and rejoice in the victories properly is to “understand” from God’s perspective the “why’s” of life! Thus to hew out her seven pillars is to understand rather than just to “be”. To mold out of the Rock of ages the path for your life is to see the Lord, chisel in hand!
2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table;
In this time context, to prepare the food was to prepare for the king’s consumption. Thus it was a careful and deliberate action, every step of the way. For Wisdom to prepare her food is to say that every action taken, every mixture given, every cut of meat and rip of bread was a purposeful action to best satisfy the soul of the One for Whom the meal is prepared! Even the wine with which the recipient is to receive compliments the meal itself! Oh friend, don’t miss that the wine the Lord pours forth is directly from His flesh! In 1 Corinthians 11 we read “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Thus to take full measure of the wine of wisdom we must remember that the blood of the Savior out to flavor every action and interaction we take!
3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls from the tops of the heights of the city:
To send out maidens was to put forth the call to all who were invited that the banquet was complete, it was time to eat! This is not to be missed. Just as Jesus gave the parable of the wedding feast in Luke 14:23-24 and said “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. ‘For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’” The reason for the calling from the city heights was to implore anyone and everyone to come! Just as Jesus died for any person that will bow the knee and receive Christ as Lord over their life! Yet just as He also says “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14).
4 “Whoever is naïve, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says,
From the context, the prior verse was Wisdom calling from the “tops of the heights of the city.” So it would follow, from the context, that Wisdom is calling from the tops of the city to join her. This would mean an elevation of sorts! But the Lord does not call us to scale the heights on our own! Rather He says “whoever is naieve…to him who lacks understanding…” The Lord is patient and understands we don’t have it all together! What we have and what we need are worlds apart. We need Jesus and we have ourselves. Therefore, we need to ask Christ to be our Lord, Master, Savior, and Friend!
5“Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed.
To a servant, one would assume the Lord and Master to declare “I want more food, I want more drink.” Instead, the Lord here says “come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Do you see the subtle difference? The Father is beckoning you and I to join Him at His banqueting table as His children! He does not see us as servants, He sees us as sons and daughters when we surrender to and invite Him to be our Lord and Savior!
6 “Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”
We are to forsake folly (the your is added to give clarity) and live. This is so important, so simple, and so oft-overlooked. I am not to “clean up my life.” Only Christ can cleanse us with His blood! We have at best filthy rags to present to Christ in our own power. Yet with His blood covering our sins, we are arrayed in the white robes of righteousness on behalf of Jesus sacrifice! Then as we are set on the right path by His righteousness, we can “proceed in the way…” of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf. 1 Corinthians 13).
7He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
As the election winds down and regardless of the President elect or sitting president prevails, what is our role? As verse 7 says you and I receive insults if we reprove a wicked man. Likewise, if we correct a scoffer, dishonor comes upon us. So we have to practice something that is often overlooked. Silence. We must at times when confronted with a glaring wrong that has been committed allow the person to reap the fruits of their misdeeds. I am not certain how the election will play out but I do know that the people voted, the votes were tallied, and it would seem that we have the next U.S. president. Yet until he is sworn in in January 2021, we already have a sitting president who holds the office! You and I as Christians must sit in subjection to him until he is re-elected or replaced with another leader.
8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
As one who in the United States is living through another election season, it has been painfully made clear that we are a nation in need of a Savior. Whether you were for or against the sitting President, the administration has been attacked by the forces of Satan. This is just like the last administration and next administration. We are called and commanded to “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” in 1 Timothy 2. Did this mention believers? It is implied. Did this mention Non-believers? This is understood. Did this mean outgoing president’s, of course! Did this mean incoming administration’s? Yes! Did this mean administration’s elected for a second term? Yes! Regardless of the status of the leader in power over you, pray for your leaders! Thus, a scoffer can be left to scoff and fade. But to find the wise, simply exhort and rejoice as they have things you and I can learn just as you have things you can share with them!
20“I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
21To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
22“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
23“From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
24“When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.
25“Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth;
26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.
27“When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed,
29When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,
31Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.
When in the passage continuing, we see the Psalmist say “20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.” So the idea being that the way of righteousness is that of walking in the way of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul writes, “…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Col. 1:10.
Moving from that we see that there is wealth of the Lord that does not equal to necessarily material wealth. As again the Apostle Paul prayed to the Philippians in 4:11-13 “11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength (NIV).”
The next brief interlude speaks to the creation of the Lord of each of His masterpieces. “22-23The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.” Why do some Christians make such a fuss about children’s and an unborn’s rights? Because an unborn person is still a person from the moment of conception! You are not disagreeing with me alone if you believe different. You are believing a lie straight from the pit of Hell! Believe God! Believe you were formed by His specific and magnificent design! One such Scripture was written by the prophet Jeremiahs saying “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you…” (Jeremiah 1:5, NASB). This is what the Father intended and created to you be!
Following “22-23 The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.” Now as a former horror movie fan, I knew what Hollywood saw the possession of a person by the hand of Satan to mean. To be sure, true demonic possession is even more terrifying than that! But when Jesus possesses you, He fills you with His Holy Spirit and then by this indwelling you begin to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians and other places in the New Testament For reference the Galatians 5:22-23 passage lists “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Timeless as they are, these traits will be ever increasing in the child of God. Thus for an eternity we have nothing less than an ever increasing plentitude of the goodness in God!
Subsequently following we read “23“From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24“When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25“Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; 26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.” Here we read of this creation of a trait spoken in a persona. We know from the Lord’s wisdom that He is speaking of the grace and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Yet to understand that from before time, before grace was needed for mankind, before water before air, before everything was, Jesus is (John 8:58)!
27“When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
As Jesus said to the crowds “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” because He formed it all. He established the heavens and the earth and the depths and all else. He also created something that could be easily missed. He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep. This refers to a globe or circle on which the waters dwell. For those who are unfamiliar with the flat earth movement, this clearly refutes such nonesense without even trying!
28When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed,
In Genesis 1:7 right from the beginning of the creation of the earth we read “7God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.” In Proverbs the writer asks the reader to understand that He made the skies above firm. This speaks to the creation of an ice sphere surrounding the earth such as in intimated in the beginning parts of Genesis prior to the flood! For more on this, you can read an article from Answers in Genesis regarding the firmament “https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/cosmology/is-the-raqiya-firmament-a-solid-dome/”.
29When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Do you realize that every time there is a local flood or for that matter rain, that is the design of mercy of the Lord to not flood the earth again (Genesis 9:11)? Do you realize that God marked the foundations of the earth? Do you realize that no matter how much mankind tries to destroy the earth we will not ultimately destroy the earth! God will destroy the earth and recreate it for eternity! In Revelation 21 we get a peek into eternity for the Lord speaks of the newly created earth! Why worry all that much of this earth if it is to be recreated? Simple, we are given as stewards to what we have been given! So that we will not reflect our faith in a junky cluttered Savior, let us keep the faith, keep our home, and keep reaching for the greater understanding of Him!
Finally we read “30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.” Do you understand this final rest? The writer states “then”. When we reach the end of our time spent on fallen earth, our brief mortal life will be over. Then our next state will be eternally better. It will be “beside Him, as a master workman…daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him…” Friend, we ought not get too caught up in the trifles and bothers of this world. Sure we have to pay rent or mortgage. Sure we have to put food on the table and perform tasks asked by our employer. Friend that is not our burden for eternity though! Our eternal state will be rejoicing and worshipping Jesus. As such, and as far as I’m concerned, I’ll practice down here to be prepared for up there! Until that time, blessings as you go!
16“By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.
17“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.
18“Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.
In looking at this next section, I’m reminded how little I know of Scripture combined with how little I know of Him. Surrounded by a culture and a world who prizes getting more stuff only to often have the stuff consume you to the neglect of other people and other things. Looking at the first verse in this segment be “Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price.” I have a picture from the apple orchard at Silvercreek my family and I went to this past weekend. Though each of us has our favorite, the fact remains, they’re all apples and all have a distinct purpose to the picker. Much like the church, we each have our own distinctive purpose in the unfolding of the plan of God. But we must be present to enjoy His use!
If I meditate even on that small verse, I immediately find that I do not treasure nor value the Scripture as I ought. If indeed I was given the choice between becoming independently wealthy or being given a steadfast promise that the Word of God would always be available, I’m not sure that at all times I would choose the Scriptures! Perhaps therein we can see our struggle unless we can see something of lesser value thrust in or visual field!
Carrying on in verse 10b I read “…And knowledge rather than choicest gold.” Now just as we had said before, knowledge is the awareness of wisdom and the context in which wisdom works. Thus, to be made aware of the wonders and greatness of God, then the knowledge of God should bring about worship of Him and an adoration for those who are His own. It is a clear and concise choice that must be made 1000 times over because our flesh and our world is literally hell-bent on choosing the temporary over the eternal. Why settle for a Twinkie when you have the eternal feast laying before you!
Next in verse 11 I find “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.” Consider this, all desirable things leveed against every desire on earth cannot compare with wisdom. Whether you are an oil baron in the mid-west looking for oil in the hot Texas sun or a German automaker designing the next hit VW automobile, all this is commendable. But these vocations pail in the light of learning more of Who Jesus Christ is and how much He loves those for Whom He gave Himself to die.
In verse 12 we read of these virtues “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.” Catch the meaning, the Lord dwells with prudence. The wisdom afforded in the Lord’s counsel will by its very action and activity cause your life to be known by prudence, knowledge and discretion. How often I have prayed for knowledge and discretion. All along not realizing that to live with prudence (עָרְמָ֑ה only used 3 times in Scripture) it follows that knowledge and discretion will be found. Ah the wisdom and fear of the Lord!
Next in verse 13 we have “13“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.” The fear of the Lord is one who because of the fear and respect of Him hates evil. Note it does not say hates the individual who is sinning but rather hates the evil that is being done. In that we are all sinners, we are all in need of the forgiveness and grace of God, and we are all hell-bound apart from Him, our only hope is to return to Him!
The in verse 14 we read, “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.” To be sure I would make some of my philosophy compatriots argue, but God Himself says “counsel is mine”, “sound wisdom (is mine)”, “I am understanding”, “power is mine.” In short, if you’re looking for virtue, look to Me! Before we revile at the notion, consider that the only perfect being in the universe just effectively said, “worship Me, for I am good.” So often in Hollywood we are met with personalities who initially we admire and ever so often come to revere. Yet this Scripture in verse 14 reminds us from Jehovah God’s own lips “I am understanding.” Elsewhere with Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
For verses 15-16 we have a “how-do” of how the rulers of earth at that time ruled. With the Babylonian, Chaldean, Sumatran, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and all other culture from then to now, the answer is the same, apart from God. Yet also in verses 15-16 we do have the blueprint of how they should rule “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.” Notice, the text tells us that “all who judge rightly” which includes the pagan kings under that umbrella. This is not to say that they were righteous or God-fearing I my view. Instead it was a subtle way of stating for our day and age that regardless of the time or timbre of ethics, there is an ultimate Good, Jehovah God, and an ultimate bad, sin. Before parsing to see what side your decision will fall on, remember, you and your life must surrender to Jesus or else you are hell-bound and all decisions contained in your life are attempting to be used to run from God!
In verse 17 the author writes “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Praise the Lord that His mercy endures to today. The author states that He loves those who love Him. Just as Jeremiah recorded “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13).” Furthermore, Jesus says “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28).”
Approaching the close for today “18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness.” Consider the value of investing in something that lasts forever! Today a diamond is one of the most precious gifts you can give. But, this is worth more than the largest diamond in the world! God has wealth and value that we can attain in learning what it means to love Him more, love others more, and more importantly be loved by Him more! Not how to do more, act more, or discover more for Him. He knows all, sees all, is all. His desire is to be known by us for the purpose of being worshiped by us and loved by us just as He loves us!
The last verse for today “19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.” Now I have a picture of the apple selection from Silver Creek Orchard in Tyro, VA. My family and I over the past few years have frequented that spot for our apple selection. This year, although the “Granny Smith” has been our family favorite, I stumbled quite literally on a new favorite the winesap. The interesting flavor of the winesap is that although it initially gives the clear, crisp, tart flavor of a granny smith, it smooths out into a sweet crisp bite of a red delicious.
What in the world has that got to do with Scripture? As I see it, the Scripture, particularly Proverbs, at times has a serious bite! There can be portions and sections that strike you more that offer an inviting texture! But in the same bite, they healing balm of the Savior Who loves you can gently correct the hurt and temporary harm done to you! Just as the Israelites who took a portion of Samaria in 2 Chronicles 28 did “14So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the officers and all the assembly. 15Then the men who were designated by name arose, took the captives, and they clothed all their naked ones from the spoil; and they gave them clothes and sandals, fed them and gave them drink, anointed them with oil, led all their feeble ones on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers; then they returned to Samaria.”
The Lord wants to save for Himself a people from every tribe an tongue. We are told in Revelation 5:9, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Therefore, just as we here in the United States and you from where-ever you are, worship the Lord in your context and from your side of the world. We shall worship the Lord in our context until He brings us all into His marvelous presence for eternity more. Blessings as you continue, blessings as you go!
8Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.
9How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
10“A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”—
11Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.
I have a number of fears but perhaps one of my greatest is that I be found when I come to the end of it all to have been a worthless or lazy person. I know at times I have been lazy. I know that quite honestly there are times to be lazy! But this portion of Proverbs speaks to the intimate tie between initiative and ability.
In verses 6-8 the passage reads “6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, 8 Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.” Now it pains me to not draw parallels between the United States form of government and the contemporary issues with both in Portland and Chicago among others. As I am not there but in Virginia I can only make observations on opinions so I’m hesitant to make any snap judgments.
However, from Scripture we read that you and I are to “…be wise” after observing the ant. We observe that the ant should be able to autonomously work in such a way as a “preparer” for the future (v. 8) and a gatherer in the harvest (v. 8b). The problem arises when the ones demonstrating wish to express their discontent with protests against the form of governance above them. Now I do not live in Seattle, Portland, or anywhere in the west so I have to be careful how I say this. But insofar as the freedoms we have been afforded by the blood sweat and tears of those who have gone before us, I must be very careful how much protest I do against the system of government placed over me! To bring it from the hypothetical to the real, an article from August the 30th reads “Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to send state troopers to help police protests after fatal shooting.” Why? Because the populace left ungoverned devolves into chaos over and over! I do not wish to start a debate. I do wish to hearken back to a former President George W. Bush who said in 2019 “America’s greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity. The doctrine and habits of racial superiority, which once nearly split our country, still threaten our Union” https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/george-bush-releases-rare-public-statement-george-floyd/story?id=71034387).
Further in verse 8-9 “8Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. 9How long will you lie down, O sluggard When will you arise from your sleep?” To place these 2 verses gives us the context we need, the citizens of the Kingdom and the citizens of the United States need to get busy about the purposes they are given by God. You and I need to prepare the food in the summer, in other words, work and save while we are able. Then in 8b work on gathering provision in the harvest when you can’t grow anymore but rather can reap. In my understanding, this speaks to those who maybe cannot work any longer but can speak into the lives of those who are wisdom and encouragement! Why in the world are you lying down in a comfortable retirement when the world is on fire? This is not to say that you must be working 100% of the time but if you are redeemed, you have been given a leader. Our job and joy is to follow!
A quick aside, my time for working unfortunately vocationally is over. This is not by choice but by injury. Having had 3 brain bleeds, my eyesight is all but gone and my day to day is fairly sedentary. I can walk to the grocery store with a cane. I must wear the black glasses because they filter the colors I can see so at least I have some vision. The visual field I have is very narrow such that I see nothing out of my right eye and see a sliver out of my left. I can blog because I see 20/20 corrected out of a sliver in my left. And the brain injuries which have left a number of cognitive deficiencies. I get it. But rather than be a depressing sepon, let my life be a fragrant aroma to Him as He lives through me!
Continuing, the question is asked “…When will you arise from your sleep?” I cannot think of a better question to ask myself each morning. When will you arise from your slumber and arise from your sleep! As the New Testament echoes “For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you (Ephesians 5:14, NASB).'” We must awaken from our sleep that is our תִּשְׁכָּ֑ב מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ (sheenah) or rest. And then, as we are admonished in Proverbs 6:10-11: “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”—Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.”
The outcome of being lazy is different than rest. We must rest. The Godhead in the 7th day of creation rested! That is the foundation of our week as we rest on the sabbath and then on the first day of the week (Sunday) we get busy about the Lord’s work in Him! What’s more, the writer warns that “poverty will come in like a vagabond”. Meaning that the you will see the poverty that comes to those who think earth is for resting and heaven is for working overtake you! Heaven is for us to join Him when we get invited. Earth is for us and we get called to be His workers! On earth we are called to join Him in His work. But when He recreates the earth what then?
As I am not a Biblical scholar nor do I wish to speculate. I can say we read in Revelation 21:14, “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Referring to a time after all of time has been consummated and all is recreated for eternity. In this era, kings of the earth will bring their glory… I have no idea when this is or what circumstances surrounds this. But I do know “And your need like an armed man.” This means like one who is carrying weaponry and hunting for trouble for the sake of his life, your needs will become insatiable without Christ. Maybe that’s the whole point though. We have an un-scratch-able itch that can only be soothed by the healing balm of Gilead, Jesus the Christ. Blessings as you go!
My wife and I recently went to the Answers in Genesis home in Petersburg, Kentucky this past summer. There is so much great stuff there but specifically I was struck by the definition and meaning behind type and kind. Before I ruin the understanding, here is an article from there that explains what I’m talking about. It so good and so contemporary in this current political milieu….
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Beginning where we left off last, the writer continues in the discussion of marriage relationships. Without pressing the illustration or attempting to cause the passage to mean something it doesn’t, the writer here is talking about monogamy and fidelity to your spouse. In one of the more intimate and vivid pictures for a male, the writer discusses about the physic of his spouse. Without providing embarrassment to my spouse in discussing matters belong between she and I, we are covenanted before God to find our physical pleasure and our fulfillment with one another.
The writer then turns in the passage verse 16 we read “Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?” Candidly, this is the playboy imagery and the very real problem of infidelity in the marriage relationship. Lest it be turn out like James warns “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment (James 5:12, NASB).”
Now in verse 16 from Proverbs, we see the dangers of infidelity. It is not a wound that will be completely healed this side of heaven. Forgiveness to be sure but complete trust must be reestablished over time! In verse 17 we read “Let them be yours alone and not for strangers with you.” Elsewhere in Hebrews 13:4 says “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Thus keep it pure! And perhaps the best way to keep it pure is to delight in the wife of your youth as delighting in her will keep the youth in you long after the outward appearance of youth has faded!
In the next verse we read “19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.” Without providing embarrassment the marriage bed and relationship is between husband and wife. As was counseled to me by a former pastor when Leslie and I were engaged the marriage bed is for you and your wife. What happens there should not be shared nor discussed outside the marriage because that is your (yours and your spouse) sacred place. What this means also is that before God, just like Adam and Eve before the fall, it is your (plural again) responsibility to delight in one another as you delight in Him!
Now in verse 20 we read “For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?” Perfectly put, why should you my son be exhilarated “תִשְׁגֶּ֣ה (tish·geh)” by a an adulteress? It follows, if you have a spouse you have a lifetime of getting to know them intimately and completely until death do you part! As such, there is no time for letting your eyes or any other appendages straying from the wife of your youth!
Next in verse 21 “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.” The word “paths” can be used as “going, path, trench, way((-side)).” Though not specifically used her in that context, I prefer trench because in a trench you are fixed on one path. If you and your spouse are on the same path in the same trench, falling off the path is harder because you should be single minded for your spouse. Your eyes should be single minded on his are her person. Also just as the Lord is single minded to seeing us walk the paths of righteousness He has prepared.
Verse 22 follows this idea with “His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.” Though at this point we might say “serves him or her right” and stand away from them shaming them, perhaps that is not the only reaction we should entertain. Just as one of Jesus first miracles in Samaria was to a woman who was unfaithful and at a low point to be sure in her life, you and I should seek to restore! Yes the text says that “His own iniquities will capture the wicked…” but then it is up to God to convict and restore just as Asaph prayed in Psalm 80:7 “O God of hosts, restore us and cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”
Finally in verse 23 we see “He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.” The text is clear, the one who has gone astray and has been “caught” in the eyes of God, the solution is instruction from the Lord. All the way bad to Adam and Eve when they first sinned the Scripture states in Genesis 3:8 “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” Adam and Eve did the same action that I take when I’ve sinned and been found out. I hear God coming, a sermon, a quiet time, a word of correction, and I run from it. Instead, what I ought to do is face the correction because it is at the Hand of a gentle Savior.
Friend, you and I will be corrected. That is a part of living on this earth. But when we learn to take the correction as a loving interaction with the Savior Who lives and died for us, it is so much better to be corrected! So in closing to go back to the question asked at the start of today’s text, “Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets? Absolutely not! Instead delight in the wife of your youth and follow the River of life in Jesus Christ! Blessings as you go!
15Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well.
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Not to break up the flow of the text in an unnatural pause, but here in verse 15-23 we have a turn of sorts to the close of this chapter 5. Beginning in verse 15, the author states to “drink water from your own cistern…” This seems to entail and indicate that just as a well is an ever flowing spring of vitality and youth, so is the wife of our youth men, to understand that she can be nourishment and vitality to us. But in order for her to be that spring of life, she must be cared for and protected! And in turn, when the author states to drink water from your own cistern, then we are to delight in and find nourishment in the companionship and all that state of being indicates for marriage.
Following in verse 16 “Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?” Without being to crass or vulgar, perhaps more modernly said “should your women be street cats?” In a number of movies we can see that the unfortunate vocation of some is that of a one night stand. How horrible it is that one of the creations of God would think their value so low as to be sold out to the lowest bidder! Christ saves and Christ redeems! Find Him so that you may be rescued from sin, death, hell, and a life of waste!
Next in verse 17 we see “Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.” Going back to verse 16, we are here referring to the springs and streams of a man. To maintain the PG rating of the blog, the man’s potential progeny should stay between he and his wife. This is not a free love type of society but much greater, this is a “greater love” movement of the Father to His children! So follows, we men are to let our potential for romantic love only be between us and our wife and no other! Our eyes should be fixed on Christ and our sensual desires should only be for our spouse! This also indicates that our passions inflamed will only burn for the one who our hearts burn for rather than in heated lust that is against the God we profess to love!
In verse 18 we see clearer “18 Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.” This is not in my mind to be taken as sexual so much as it is spiritual. Much like Christ indicated to the woman at the well in John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Jesus spoke to the woman at the well who was finding her life and her well-being tied up in the cares of this world and the sins therein. Instead, He spoke to her to turn from her life of sin and constantly discover the joys and relationship found in Jesus!
For the sake of propriety and harboring safety in the house of a married couple, I will not comment on the next verse (19) with the caveat to say “at all times” means that the husbands eyes should always be on his wife for desires of a physical attraction. His eyes should always rejoice in the wife he has been united with and never stray from the single-minded devotion to loving and serving his spouse in the light of Christ! And to be “exhilarated always” literally is תִּשְׁגֶּ֥ה (tiš·geh) “or may you be captivated.” Thus to save the marriage bed for our marriage relationship, that is done.
In verse 20 we have “For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?” Herein lay the same word and it is to be captivated by another. Men, your wife and her physical appearance will change. Likewise so will yours. I am fighting that 40 something gut that comes from too many Fritos and not enough walking them off! Nevertheless my eyes are for Leslie my wife. My stamina and vitality are for her. If I want to be a healthy strapping middle aged man, then I must continually and consistently work and train my body in whatever age I may be to function as much as is possible. Much like I relearned to walk when I was in my early 20s, I could have left my body to decay but instead at times have worked hard to recover. Men, work hard to recover your body and its health because that body is not just your own but your wife’s as well!
The whole sense of ownership and responsibility is tied up in this passage because as 1 Corinthians 6:19 says “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” Because of this, we should understand own physique as much as possible should be cared for and kept fit for the purposes of serving and loving to the best of our ability! I preach to myself but insofar as it is my ability I will keep this frame that I reside in healthy until such time as I am in a new frame that I no longer have to worry with the decays of sin!
Then in verse 20-21 “For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.” As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” So the paths man takes are known to the Lord, guided by His hands and directed with the intentions to save. But He will not force you to be saved. He will draw you. You and I must submit lest we parish!
In the close of this section we read “22 – 23 His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.” Friend, if the Father has caught you in your sin, repent don’t recoil! He catches us because we refuse instruction! Repent, recant, and return to the One Who loves us regardless of the life we have lived! Instead of falling to the folly and returning to your muck and mire, reach out to the One Who can save!
1 My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding;
2 That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6 She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7 Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house,
9 Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;
10And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11 And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12 And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13 “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
First from the outset, “My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.” To understand wisdom and knowledge and appropriately act and behave in such a way as to represent the Lord to the world, first you much give attention or קָשַׁב to attend or give attention to.
Then we are told the why of the what, “2 That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.” So we are told the why of giving attention to wisdom and inclining our understanding to His because we are to observe wise behavior and decision making and that our judgement or decision making make rest within ourselves before we blurt out “well, what I would do….” Akin to a world leader making a decision that seems cold and cruel may lead to a cessation of conflict and a saving of countless millions of lives. I think of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The loss of life in these cities due to a nuclear weapon was jarring. But the preservation of lives to come after many if not most would say at least explained the momentary difficulty of the decision to bomb. I pray that in my lifetime we will not have to make decisions as President Truman in World War II.
Further into the chapter we read “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.” This can be applied to so many decisions in my own life. As we make decisions we must ask the Lord that He reveal our own hearts to see if there is any un-right way within us. As David prayed “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).” In order to make decisions which would honor God and allow for our forward development in Him, we must shun the world, cling to Christ, and deny ourselves!
Back in Proverbs we read “4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” The danger of trusting crooked judgement is the outcome of the judgement is always death and destruction! She (wrong judgement) is bitterness and death. And probably I do not need to bring up the misjudgments or wrong decision you have made which you possibly are still aware of today. Certainly there are many heartaches and damages I could have avoided simply by hearkening to Him and denying myself! Last on verse 4 note it is a two edged sword. That need not be overlooked. A single bladed weapon could typically be grabbed by grabbing the dull side in combat. A double edged sword could not and thus became an extremely lethal weapon! Finally, note in Hebrews 4:12a “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow….”
Then in verse 5 “Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.” The adulteress’ feet go down to death not up to Christ. Her steps cling to death and so she cannot move from it. Don’t miss this! If you betray and stray from Christ, you are on the path to death. Not eternal death for those who have trusted in Christ. Yet for both the Christian and non-Christian, death from this earth will come. For the follower of Christ they will see Christ and behold Him forever but as 1 Corinthians 3:15 says “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” The point being for the believer, if you waste your life living your own desires and wishes, you will be saved but life wasted. For the non-believer, you will as a professor once described “bust hell wide open.”
Following “6-8 She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house…” These 3 verses share the look of a person’s life who is following their own path. It says their ways are “unstable she does not know it.” The word for unstable means a balance, scale. The word is used here and in Isaiah 40:12 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?” (bold added). The point is that a person’s path which is not founded and grounded in Christ is only uneven ground which very quickly and easily is fallen from! Consider Christ!
Nearing the close of the chapter “9-11 Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one; And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed…” Now I am only 39. I have not seen the sunset of life or even experienced middle age yet, though its fast approaching. But from research for my Eds, I recall because of the AVM, I am 7 years closer to the end that people my age. That’s fine. Its time to get my ducks in a row as much as I can control because of responsibility and duty to others who are depending on me for leadership and appropriate financial stability. What this looks like in your family is different to be sure, but your responsibility as leader of the family men, or more generally as caretaker of your life to all is to lead by following Christ! Your vigor and drive should be to follow Christ and if you are married to love and serve your wife and family!
12 And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
Closing in verses 9-13 we see what happens to the life of a person who looks back on their lives and sees it is too late! Not that it is too late to come to Christ. But it is too late to make an impact on the direction of their family and their testimony! Verse 13 the author says “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!” Please hear the Lord! Hear the words of a believer as well in our passage who confesses (agrees with God that God was/is right) that the Lord knew better! Oh friend how often have I looked back after being rescued from certain calamity all the while realizing that the way the Lord had was so much more beneficial to my understanding and generally the body of Christ that whatever way I thought was better. God places those who speak into our lives in the church and community of Christ that we should give attention to rather than the next get rich quick scheme! Follow Christ! In closing this piece of Scripture, incline your ear to hear Him. Follow the footsteps of the Savior into the fields white unto harvest! Blessings as you go!
19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.
23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.
25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
First, the statement “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.” Note inherent in the mention is not if they will stumble but rather that when they stumble they won’t even know what it is that they are stumbling over! Looking back in my own walk, now much of the past has become more clear leading me to the present. But whilst I was in the thick of things, I could not “see the forest for the trees.” Perhaps this is why looking forward to the woods ahead, we ought to look up to the Grand Lumberjack Who clears a path for us in the midst of the debri.
In verse 20 it follows “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.” Notice here again it is a father to his son. There is implied in the familial relationship a closeness a fondness and an overall tenderness to which the father wants the success of his child. That is why the father is calling for his son to “give attention” and to incline his ear. That is much the same as the parent who calls for their kid in the grocery store when they’ve wandered off. Not because they are in imminent danger but that the voice of the parent is the guidance for the child!
Now in verse 21 we read “Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.” The instruction is deep and weighty at this point considering the personalities we are dealing with. This is David to his son Solomon. David the slayer of Goliath. David the conqueror of much of the Holy Land. David the man who succumbed to his lust and had Uriah the Hittite killed. This David was speaking to his son Solomon to keep the Lord’s Words and the single-minded focus of the King of kings as his aim. If not, the majesty of the kingdom was only moments from disarray.
At every age you see the enemies of Israel surrounding. Yet at every age even into today, you see the deliverance of the Lord and the faithfulness to His children. In the text we read “22 For they (His words) are life to those who find them And health to all their body.” Why? Because just like when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt he stated Deuteronomy 32:47 “For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
As it was with Moses so it is with David, and Solomon, and any number of saints who have gone on. Not because of their conquest but their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Following we read “23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Consider that Jeremiah says “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (cf. Jeremiahs 17:9, NASB) So as we read in numerous places in Scripture, the human heart is a wicked, festering, cesspool of sin. Christ is in contrast says in John 4:14 “…but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
So in verse following this understanding “24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.” Actively and continuously put away a deceitful mouth… I need not illustrate for it is obvious when deceit comes from our lips. We bend the truth, we stretch the limits, we indulge the details. We lie. And that is precisely why we are admonished to put the deceitful mouth and devious speech far from us. We are not to embellish on details that never happened (deceitful mouth) nor join with thought that might lead others to think something different happened that what actually took place! Be truthful and be concise!
Then in verse 25, “Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” How many times and how many verses do we see and sing the desires of days gone by or the misplaced hope in dreams to come. “Let you eyes look directly ahead.” How often would I and my coworkers, family, and friends have been benefited if I had looked directly ahead! Friend we must look directly head for the One we are to follow is there! Yes He guards sides and behind, but He is leading us step by step forward!
As we are walking “26 Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.” This is to mean that we should be concerned of what is before us but be dealing with what is directly ahead. As the Lord is the only One Who can know and does know the future, the next step is all we should concern ourselves with! Why do you think Jesus told the disciples “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4:19, NASB).'” We ought not worry about our destination so long as we have trusted in Christ! We should be concerned only with following Him.
In close this morning “27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.” The final point is this for today. In following the Lord, the temptation and draw is everything that proposes to by of Him and from Him that seems good but in the end is not. As Adam and Eve were deceived in the garden, the only path the devil can offer is sin and death. Otherwise, every good and perfect gift is from above (cf. James 1:17). Hence, we should keep the path which the Lord is walked. We have no complication of fighting down brush and bush. We are following. Thus if we are plowing through uncut territories in the darkness of the wilderness, perhaps we need to check with the Lord to ensure that we are following the correct path. Blessings as you continue, blessings as you go!
7“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8“Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
9“She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.
11I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
With the start of verse 7 we are presented with a nugget that for many years I have certainly misapplied. “the beginning of wisdom is….” Not the end of wisdom but the beginning. For the child of God, let us not get hung up on the beginning of wisdom. Just as in a footrace there is often much promise at the beginning, we must carry out that promise to the end by running to win! As 1 Corinthians says “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” Run to win!
And as you are running “8“Prize her (wisdom), and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her (wisdom added).” For “prize” the rare word is salal which is according to WMM an Egyptian siege-wall. Taking this to be the meaning we exalt or life up the act of honoring and fearing (in honor and respect) the Lord. And in so doing we discover the love, forgiveness, understanding, and acceptance that the Lord gives as He desires to walk with us.
Then in verse 9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.” Again a rarely used word, we are told the Lord will place a לִוְיָה or livyah. Given as a sign of exaltation or elevated status as one who has the item placed on them by another, this signifies that just as the forgiveness and mercy has been placed on you and I by the hands of the One Who bled and died for you and I we should extend that same grace to others. Why would the mercy extended to us not be offered to the lost as we as D(aniel) T(hambyrajah) Niles said are one beggar telling another beggar where to get food.
Following we read “10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.” The statement to hear and to accept are intended as one might hear and allow the statement to go in one ear and out the other. Instead we should accept and incorporate the sayings into our behavior. As such, the years of our lives will be many. This I believe to be figurative as there are countless believers who have gone before who have died at a young age. For that matter, the Savior of the world died likely at 33! The further I get from that age on the other side the more I realize the truly marvelous majesty that the people of this planet had the honor to entreat for the time He was in person!
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
This I should take as the Lord speaking as the way of wisdom is the love and service of the Lord. These are the upright paths that do not require sneaking and skirting about in the night. Instead they are true, upright, and disclosed that no one might uncover or discover the “true intentions” or morals behind our actions. Do good. Seek Him! There are no complications for the behavior of the righteous!
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
Again to encourage those of us who have found running both difficult and at times impossible, when you walk, your steps will not be impeded. My children can attest, I do not run. It is bad enough that at times I cannot walk without a guided path and a cane. Much less could I run after something. But to walk, this is the footsteps of the Savior. Not in long strides and forceful plodding of the runner. Rather in careful purposeful steps as the One Who knows. He knows who He is leading. He knows that I am fragile and fearful. He knows this which is why He walks. He has cleared the path to the cross. And after the cross is taken, we can run knowing that never again will I have to have a crushed and crucified spirit because He has taken my sin, my shame, and my punishment!
Therefore, I will “Run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24b, NIV) And in the running I won’t fear stumbling because my Savior has cleared the way by His death, burial, and resurrection forever more! Blessings as you go!
In order to not unnaturally separate the text, verse 7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” This continuous activity of fearing the Lord and turning from evil only grows as our walk with Him ages. Thus as we walk with Him we are not set free as a child is while they learn to toddle, then walk, then run. Instead, at least by my experience we toddle, then run, then walk! That is why the Lord does say in the New Testament when Jesus commands us to follow He does not say “run into the fields white to harvest” but “follow Me into the fields white unto harvest! Oh the pacing of the Lord is infinitely wise!
“8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.” Healing to our fallen frame that as we age only deepens into further decay. We may become like the 6 million dollar man only insofar as pieces and parts are replaced! Therefore, the Christian Scriptures and only the Christian Scriptures have the capacity to heal our earthly frame and refresh our bones. Admittedly I am only in my late 30s. I understand that as I age I will hurt more, tylenol, advil, excedrin or aleve will become my closest friend, and that the youth and vigor I feel now will only be a distanttdistant in the days ahead. But I also know that since 18 I have felt that way some because of recovering from paralysis, being comatose for a month, and relearning how to walk and move in this frame long after I was supposed have learned to walk was hard! That is why the only lasting healing to our bodies and refreshment to our bones that lasts will be that of the healing balm of Gilead, the Savior Jesus Christ!
“9 Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;”
The honor used here is to give to the Lord was is His (everything) and then yield to Him everything because it is His! As we walk, as we live, we will understand that though He owns everything because He created everything, designed everything, inspired everything and is everything! Thus, we should honor the Lord from our wealth because it is not ours but His! To give back the first fruits is simply to yield to Him what is His!
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
In an agrarian society as Israel was at this time, the barns and storehouses of the people were places where wealth was kept. Much like the wealthy farmers of today, when you pass a barn filled with round bales of hay, recognize the total cost of hay. Now I roughly estimated based on that concept, a barn that holds 100 round bales of hay is harboring a round bales worth $100. This means a small barn full of round bales would be $10,000!
Further, a vat of new wine in Bible times is referring to the good stuff, just as Jesus created in Matthew 9:17. There, Jesus says “Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.9.17.NASB When Jesus performed His early public miracle at the wedding in Cana, He turned the wedding party from frowning to frolic when He brought out “the good stuff” last! In John 2:10-11 we read “…very man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine;but you have kept the good wine until now. This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”
The point be for today render to Christ that which is His. And as you realize He owns everything, created everything, and desires everyone to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him, then and only then can we begin to understand His plans for you and I.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
How blessed it is to correct in love! I do not punish my children because I delight in there suffering! Rather I discipline my children to conform then into the image of Christ! They can read and study thus they sharpen iron as I sharpen them and together we venture out into the fields white into harvest! To a lesser extent, my puppy, Sumo at times steals a shoe. At the end of the day, my wife and I will take off our shoes and sit down in the living room. We know that in order to keep Sumo’s attention distracted, thereby no having to worry about the placement of our shoes. But without fail, either she or I will forget until we see that mischievous “grin” from Sumo with his mouth full of either my or my wife’s shoe. It’s not “okay” but because we understand that he doesn’t recall the former mention of “don’t do that” we most of the time patiently ask him to drop the shoe and come sit in our lap instead. To mimic the Savior in this way, I understand that rather than running from God and “playing” by stealing something away from Him, when all the way He simply wants me to crawl up in His lap and rest!
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
What is this understanding? The understanding which is obtained only once I understand the meaning of the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Once I begin to understand the meaning of it can I understand that the first place I need to run to when I screw up and mess up is back to Him! Then and there I can find wisdom and once retreated to His arms can I see that to understand the predicament that I got myself into through His eyes!
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.
This drew my mind to Christ words in Mark 8:36 where Jesus says “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” Run to Christ not away from Him. Shelter in Christ not from Him. Retreat to Him not away from Him?
15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
She being wisdom is more precious than jewels because wisdom knows who to render the wealth and prosperity only to the Lord and from His hand. He doesn’t need jewels He created the world! He doesn’t need bailouts, He created everything ! He doesn’t need anything but He created you and I because we are His creation. We are His desire. We are His chosen!
16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
Long life is not the aim, but dwelling with the Lord in the shelter of His wings as He says elsewhere in Scripture is our aim for eternity. That to live there in His presence for eternity, we would be best benefitted by learning from Him today! The riches and honor are in His hand and the dwelling in mansions of glory for eternity are set for those who will travail just a short time on earth.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace.
Wisdom’s ways are pleasant ways, not that they lead through peaceful waters but that they hold the path of the One who walks through storms and when necessary says “‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. Mark 4:39″
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
Drawing back the image of the Garden of Eden, the wisdom of the Lord is called a “tree of life.” Seen in Genesis 3:24 as the tree which Adam and Eve had taken, the tree is seen as needing protection “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” This is to show Adam and Eve all the implications of their disobedience had for all of humanity. Thanks be to Christ that you and I can cling to that Wisdom again when we are drawn by Him.
19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.
The Lord founded the earth by wisdom. He established the heavens by understanding. He knows His creation including every minutae! As my wife and I returned from the Creation Museum we were in awe of the wisdom and careful creativity of the Savior in creating this world! As Paul said in Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.
Again hearkening back to the flood when Noah, safe in the ark, was spared as the entire human race who had turned from the Lord, was wiped out! But just as Noah and his family were preserved by the wood of an ark, so can we also be saved by preservation from the wood of the cross!
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.
Finally, the writer says that them, His wisdom and knowledge, we should not let them vanish. Notice in this repeating He says to keep (willful action on our part) and discretion (the acting out of said wisdom). And as we do this, they will be life to your soul and adornment for your neck. In other words, this wisdom will be your wreath of adornment and your jewelry which has a cost above all others, as it is the cost of the blood of the cross. Oh friend, turn to Him and follow. The fields are still white unto harvest. We simply need to pickup the tools and head into the fields. Blessings as you go!
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. 9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; 16 To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; 17 That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; 18 For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; 19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life.
Beginning in this section is a word that means “abiding success.” Translated in verse 7 as sound wisdom, the Hebrew תּוּשִׁיָּ֑ה (tu·shi·yah), the Lord stores up “sound wisdom” or “abiding success” for His beloved. This does not mean we can relenquish care of our lives and behavior! Rather, we should have the overarching knowledge that no matter our failures or shortcomings, the Lord’s sound wisdom or abiding success through His own will accomplish its purpose. Consider that meaning. You and I can do nothing that the Lord can undo. Consider the implications! We cannot fail the purposes of the Lord! And this is not because of our greatness but His foreknowledge and activity in our lives! Even our mistakes the Lord uses to accomplish His purpose that He intended and directed from the outset! Oh how great a Savior do we serve!
In verse 8 we read the purposes of God in “Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.” This means He guards our steps, He guards our hearts, He guards our mistakes, He guards our lives such that there is absolutely no mistake we can make that He cannot use to His glory! When Saul of Tarsus was breathing threats to Christians in the first century, how many Christians realized that a few short months or years later this persecutor would turn evangelist and travel the known world spreading the gospel! That is why Christian I say, the COVID crisis, the economic downturn, the election of 2020, these are all temporary opportunities of the Lord to show us His greatness and our frailty in thinking that we are in control. He is!
Thus in verse 9-12 we see that the Lord through us will allow us to “…discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;” What do we need to learn from this? For one, wisdom comes as discernment is exercised. And in turn as the wisdom enters the heart, understanding will illuminate the mind. And as the mind is opened to the things of God, wisdom in turn shuns the wicked come to light! Time and again I have unfortunately been the wicked and perverse man speaking things that were contrary to the Lord. Yet in His patience, He guides me in the pathways of righteousness helping me discern what my mind is thinking, my mouth is speaking, and my words are staying! Thus, let us as James says “…everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:19b).
Hence, in verse 13-17 we read “From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God;”
Do I have a straight path or am I making my own path off in the darkness? We have heard of blazing a trail, but be careful we are not blazing a trail with the Light off. Friend, don’t rejoice in evil things. What’s more, don’t rejoice in the perversity of evil. Again the word for perversity is the Hebrew לוּז (luz) which means to turn aside. Don’t turn aside but do follow Him! That is why when Jesus called His disciples, He did not give them a rulebook and then leave them on their own. Rather He instructed them, He empowered them, then He illuminated their hearts forever by giving the Holy Spirit to guide them and us until He returns again!
In verse 17 we are told that those who turn aside “….forgets the covenant of her God;” Let it never be forgotten that we have entered into a love covenant marriage with the Lord for eternity. Thus every time we are unfaithful to Him we ought to return as a repentant lover who has been unfaithful to their betrothed! If we picture this in our relationship with Him, then my estimation is that our quickness to drift away will be hampered because we want to know Who this Savior is!
Finally in verses 18 and 19 we read “For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life.” Though simple enough in consequence and description, it is very easy to do! We have a sin nature that is at war with Christ. And though we daily ought to reckon our bodies dead to sin and alive to Christ, we must reach for Him as He is the paths of life. He is after all “…the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (John 14:6b). Therefore, to reach the paths of life, cling to the One Who gave Himself. Blessings as you go!
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
For the first verse in this section we have the phrase תּוּשִׁיָּה (tushiyyah) — which is a rarely used Hebrew word. Occurring only 11 times, it is translated “sound wisdom,” “deliverance,” “helpful insight,” and other words of the same vein. The point being, the Lord stores up sound wisdom to reveal to the upright at the specific time. And correlating to that, He is a shield to those who walk in the integrity of Scripture and the wisdom of the Lord.
8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
Similar to prior verses, and harkening back to verse 7, He says that those who walk in the fear of the Lord walk on the paths of justice of which the Lord guards. Correspondingly, they are guarded by the Lord Himself! Also, He preserves the ways of the righteous. It is important to note that the ways of the righteous and varied. Yet this is precisely the mark of the testimony as each child of God has a different account of how the Lord touched their life and revealed Himself to the individual.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.
The “Then” in the sentence denotes the point of time in which the decision is made to follow the Lord in my understanding. As the decision is made up in the follower’s mind, the Lord reveals to the follower the understanding during which they are able to see for themselves and show to others the right way. Moreover, the justice in the decision, the equity in and fairness in its logic, and the reason the decision is effectively good. Let us not forget that decisions from the Lord sometimes do not make sense in foresight, but hindsight they are the correct way often because only He sees the full picture.
10For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
As the decision is cast in our minds, a fuller implication of that decision begins to expand in our hearts. Consequently, though the decision is hard, the impact may be difficult, the resting ability in making the decision between options allows for the one making the decision to rest in Him.
11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you,
Again, once the decision is made, the discretion will guard the individual so long as the decision is made toward the Lord. For specifics, I suppose my testimony would be of dating again. Once my mind was made up that perhaps I could date again after the brain injury, through the wisdom of my father and the selection by my eyes (she is beautiful after all!), I was able to muster the courage to ask Leslie out on a date. And now 17 years later, she is still my glass menagerie, she is still my beauty and my joy. And she is still my pursuit along with Christ.
12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;
Now in apposition to seeking the Lord and so seeking my wife, the way of evil is all to easy. Seek the things of the world and the pleasures apart from Him. And just as perversity is defined as “turned away from or rejecting what is right, good, or proper; wicked or corrupt.” So the path that leads away from the Lord and His good pleasure.
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;
The paths of uprightness are those which lead up the mountain to the Savior. We can walk in the paths up the mountain on the side bearing the sun. But if we walk in ways of darkness, we are effectively scaling the rocky crags in the valleys below of our own pleasures apart from Him.
14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil;
Just for specificity, as if the Lord has not already brought to mind your specific traps and pitfalls, for those who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil, we are challenged to delight in Him! Recall at His baptism the voice of God the Father saying ““This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt. 3:17). This is in direct opposition to the picture of those who delight in doing evil!
15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;
Again following the path that are both crooked and who are devious in their ways, Christ says that “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:6).”
16 To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words;
This is not only a devious woman but the harlot of adultery who ensnares many a person with her deceitful eyes and her empty promises. Oh friend turn from her wicked ways and fall on the grace afforded to all who will follow Jesus! Flattery is no comparison to the Word of the Lord and the Rock of salvation, Jesus!
17 That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God;
The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ through His redemption comes to purchase back and restore. This is why we are told in our youth to run to Christ and remember the covenant of Christ! This is not only for our youth but for our older maturity that we might remember the deliverance and promises kept by Him so that when we need to fall on Him, we might recognize and remember He is the only pitfall of safety and security.
18 For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead;
Again the tension between the wisdom of the world shows itself against the wisdom of the Lord. Her path lead to death. It plays out that if we recognize that we have followed the wrong path, we have the opportunity in the revealed revelation to change paths and cry out to Him! Remember only He can rescue us, but only He should as only Jesus can restore us with His grace, forgiveness, and love.
19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life.
A stern warning and stark reminder, none who go to her return. This is important as there are many who claim to have found god in his varied incarnations. But for those who know Christ, know that there is but One God and His name is Jesus. All others, Allah, Budha, Shiva, etc, are but pale images of a deceitful devil who only wish for the comradery of fellow contrarians to Christ! Blessings as you go!
1My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,
2Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
3For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
4If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Right from the outset, the heading is “the pursuit of wisdom brings security. Now what that did not say is when that applies. And perhaps that is one of the best things. When you lose your job, the Scripture still applies. When your marriage is falling apart, the Scripture still applies. When your children are walking away from the Lord, the Scripture still applies! Take heart!
Now skimming the surface of the of Scripture, we read in verse 1 “1My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you…” If as a son or daughter of Christ, you should receive the Words of the King of kings because He is worthy of all praise and obedience. But notice it is not a command given as an authoritarian rule but as a Father to His children.
If you will receive my words and in turn treasure His commandments then you will understand and be better able to operate in this sin-stated world in such a way as to draw all men to the Father. Then the “how” in verse 2 “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;” Which begs the question, how do we make our ear attentive to wisdom?
In Proverbs chapter 5, a little ways on in the book we see “1My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; 2That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.” So to make your ear attentive to wisdom we ought to incline our ear to His understanding. This is to pay attention to and adopt where applicable His understanding of the world. This is done by observing discretion or that you may maintain (לִשְׁמֹ֥ר)1) purpose, discretion, device, plot (מְזִמּ֑וֹת). Thus to “Make your ear attentive to wisdom” we ought maintain our purpose. And to maintain our purpose we ought incline or bend our will to understand His!
Now to do so, to put rubber to the road, we as children of Him out to cry for discernment and lit your voice for understanding. as it says “3For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;” Without being political, how many voices today are we seeing those crying out for understanding asking for discernment from Him? This is not for culture to change by engaging culture but rather asking to help us understand that we might start change within our own hearts and thereby engage culture with that new understanding!
Further in verse 4 we read “If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;” How do we seek for lost jewelry of heightened value? We search for it with everything we are! Our minds are fully engaged and our hands and hearts are committed to the task! Further we look where we have looked before with a renewed zeal and fervor as we openly and readily admit that we may have missed something previously overlooked. We enlist others to help us as we admit that we may have missed something. Now how often do we when treating the Scriptures enlist others to help us? How often do we study the Scriptures in the context of others to glean what we may have missed? Oh friend, when this COVID crises abates and we are able to attend in worship again, don’t miss out on the community of the brethren! As it says in Hebrews 10:23-25 ” 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Perhaps the quarantine has helped the estrangement of the Church see the value in community!
Then in verse 5 we see “Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.” When will we discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God? Among the brethren! We have an awesome privilege of gathering (even now by Zoom or other technologies) to hear the Word proclaimed and engage the body to strengthen all of her parts!
Finally for this passage we see in verse 6, “For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” I’ve been on this earth long enough to know that though you may think you’re wise, though you may think you’re clever, this does not equal an increased fear and awe of the Lord unless you are drawn closer to Him. The Lord does indeed give wisdom and from His mouth only come knowledge and understanding. This is why when we hear those who claim to pronounce both the judgement and the blessings of God in ways and means that are contrary to Scripture, we know they are false teachers! As is said in 2 John 1:7 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Thus in summation we have three takeaways all stemming from Him, for Godly wisdom learn to fear and serve your heavenly Father as any son would do for His loving Father.
The Lord gives wisdom so to become wise to the world and in service to Him, learn from Him to love Him and in turn serve others.
The Lord gives knowledge from His mouth so to obtain this knowledge we must hear from His mouth (His Word). Cute quotes and helpful platitudes may look good on a t-shirt or onlines discussion but Scripture changes lives!
The Lord gives understanding, often after wisdom and knowledge as we look back on the situation that He has brought us through. In order to obtain understanding we must wait on Him to help us understand the “why” of a situation.
Though the chapter headings were added after Scripture was written, it helps to remember that He is the aim, the goal, and the ever present Help in times of trouble! Blessings as you go!
20 Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; 21 At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: 22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? 23 “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. 24“Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; 25And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; 26I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, 27When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, 29Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD. 30“They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. 31“So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices. 32“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33“But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
Briefly fast forwarding to 1 Corinthians 1:24 we find: “…but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (NASB)”. Finding that little nugget, that Christ is titled the Wisdom of God, just further illuminates and elevates Christ as the source and aim of our reaching. As Christ is the wisdom of God, the aim and focus of Proverbs, as well as the rest of Scripture, is to attain to and hold fast to Jesus! Yet understand that you and I will never be able to wrap our mind much less our arms around the One Who holds the worlds in balance.
Rather it is in Him wrapping His loving arms of grace around us that you and I are made whole. When we relinquish control over our lives and rest in His embrace, then we begin to see just how clearly the muddied waters of our lives are to Him.
To begin we read “20 Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square…” which is Christ calling out to all who would answer as “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). Even more, “21 At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:” As Christ in the midst of the storms in life comes walking on the waves calmly, so are we to show confidence and security in Him and not our world. This world is passing away in all its veracity and tempest, our Savior is only revealing Himself in part in a steady sovereign hand reaching out.
Verse 22 states “22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? Three questions, three answers.
Question 1, “how long will you love being simple minded?”
The rendering here for “simple-minded” literally is פְתִי which is from Strong’s concordance “foolish, simplicity, one Or pethiy {peh’-thee}; or pthaeiy {peth-aw-ee’}; from pathah; silly (i.e. Seducible) — foolish, simple(-icity, one).” So this is not to say necessarily as the song says that we are to be simple minded folk, but single minded folk. We should have the singular goal and aim to seek and serve the King of kings while loving others through Him. That single-minded devotion drives us to the cross and helps us understand “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19)”
Question 2, “how long…scoffers delight themselves in scoffing?”
It is enough that we would delight ourselves at the expense of others. It is all the more evil to delight ourselves in taking advantage of others. It is both willful and evil to think that we honestly and openly deceive, detract, and derail others for the purposes of our own aims and goal. To scoff literally from BDB “speak indirectly or obliquely.” In other words, to make fun of or ridicule others without them even knowing. Then to delight or congratulate themselves for the act! Oh friend, may the Lord forgive me for all the times I have chided and derided others only to puff up my own self-importance! I am dust and dirt, He is the Rock of ages!
Question 3, “And fools hate knowledge?”
How is it that fools, who do not know Knowledge and would not if He were sanding with them ridicule Him? That is what it is to being lost. To have the Savior of the world as close as a brother yet because of blind hatred crucify Him because of our unknowing hearts. To know Jesus is to know true Knowledge. And to know true Knowledge means we cast off the best pretences the world offers and run to Jesus.
In verse 23 we are instructed “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”
This is a Father beckoning His sons to return. Turn to His correction so that Christ might equip us with His Spirit. Then once the light and life Giver has been impressed on our souls we can see and share with the world that is lost and dying without Him. But don’t miss out, turn to His reproof. That means correction, refinement, and discipline are part of the goal. If you have no intention of changing, are you truly a follower of Jesus? We yield our lives to Him that He might change us daily.
Verses 24-30 are the outcome of a life that is not yielded to Him. The Scripture says in verse 29 “Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.” If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of man would seemingly be the only alternative. As one who has lived long enough to fear various men in various positions of authority, not one of those authorities has ever crushed my soul. The varying points of pressure only lasted so long as the proper strata of oversight was in place. But for Christ, He is forever lifted High and forever exalted above the earth. That is why the appropriate fear of the Lord is so marvelously interposed with the love of the Son. The fear of the Lord is right and righteous to be sure. Also, for the believer, add in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of the Father and displayed through His love.
Finally, in verses 31-32 we read “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” That is to say, the fruit of their own way is rotten and spoiled. The vermin of the rotten fruit will devour their ways from within. Therefore leaving them to their own devices will reveal to those who follow themselves the wicked and rotten ends.
In conclusion, with a cap of sorts to finish the chapter we have “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.” This is not that he will be unaffected by evil. Death, famine, pestilence, sickness, loss, anger, offenses and ailments come to us all. However, the trials of life can be used as another platform of testimony for the one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High God! Friend, whatever the situation, whatever the sickness or ailment, whatever the condition, remain tethered to Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you (cf. Heb. 13:5) He will be with you as you go!
I’m going to start a new study in Proverbs. It’s going to be long. It’s going to likely be long-winded on the personal commentary part. Frankly, it’s my study with my own life as the only segment of application points I can draw from. Hopefully, it’s also going to be interactive. Because God willing I’m going to “get wisdom” from His Word and “apply knowledge” at this chronological juncture. However, what I’m essentially driving at is two questions. First, what did the Lord do in the life of the writer to pen his words? Second, what is the application point for me as I journey down this road a little ways farther?
The study will be personal. The application likely will be as well. Yet I will type it here to show how God is active among His people today as He was since before the beginning of time. And I type it here as a sort of confession so that what I record here I can look back on years from now and see how the Lord worked and moved to move me from my point of yearning for Him to the point I will be at. So with that said, Proverbs 1:1-7.
“1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Verse 1 begins with Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. The sentence structure is such that you see Solomon claiming authorship, the son of David, king of Israel being Solomon’s lineage, and I would surmise that it was this family history that let the reader see, being perfect in the eyes of man is not the goal! Solomon’s point is the know wisdom and instruction.
Verse 2 uses “know” which is the Hebrew yada. In Genesis 3:5 we read that “God knows…” This is the same word. In Genesis it is used by the serpent speaking to Eve to deceive. Here in Proverbs, we have the same word but more exhortative. God tells the reader that the purpose of proverbs is the now or to immerse oneself in the wisdom and instruction of God. We immerse ourselves in His wisdom by fearing Him as a son fears his father (respects, looks up to, admires, and obeys). In the same context we see that Solomon identifies himself as “…son of David, king of Israel.”
Solomon wants it known that his father was David, king of Israel. It was not that Solomon needed to remind everyone that David was king. It was not Solomon needed to remind himself that David was king by my reckoning. Rather, Solomon wanted a framework to be assembled that allowed for the reader to scale with Solomon to the heights of the Lord with Solomon to see the lineage and heritage that brought Solomon to this point. Then from that view, lead the reader beyond to see where the Lord wants to direct His people to. This is perhaps the reason that Solomon mentions that he is a son of David (the shepherd turned king). Let us not become too consumed with our own self worth that we forget that you and I are children of parents who are just as flawed and sinful as we are. But God uses us in spite of rather than because of our heritage to show that He can use anyone.
In verse 3 we read “To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity;” The purpose of the writing was to receive not give instruction on wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity.” With the riots, the civil unrest, and the demonstrations, I wonder how many on either side are willing to receive instruction on wise behavior? Would looting constitute wise behavior? Would the standing on the neck of….nevermind. The emotions and realities of life are too fresh and too raw to be discussed at the moment.
The admonition in verse 3 states to receive instruction in wise behavior (the right action), righteousness (Godly weighing of action), justice (Godly acting in response to actions), and equity (evenness, uprightness). To receive these weights an measures, we have to first exchange our scales however! If by weighing how wrong something was against my personal measures, I would be offended most if someone with a brain injury was unjustly treated. And please don’t misunderstand, I am grieved when that happens. But should I not also be grieved when a homeless person is abused because they are without shelter? Should I not be grieved when a child is left in the cold in winter in the mountains with no one to provide for him or her? Should I not have my heart despairing for the soldier and civilian alike in a war torn country who merely follows orders given by an unjust ruler? My point is, you and I are caught up in this world of sin of our own making and the only way out is to cry out to the One Who 2000 years ago cried “it is finished” (cf. John 19:30, NASB).
Further in verse 4-5, “To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,” we hear that Solomon wants to give prudence to the naive. The rendering is of the word used in Exodus 21:14 for premeditated murder. To essentially give careful wisdom and thought to the naive or those unencountered with the new types of thinking. You can imagine there are decisions that you will have to make or perhaps already have made that have affected someone’s very life forever. God is saying He penned the book of Proverbs to give fallen humanity a chance to rethink the decisions tumbling about in the mental realm of possibility in the light of His Word before acting on them.
Verse 5 again reads “5A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel…” If you an I are to increase in learning and become the “man” of understanding it will not be on our own. It was said by Helen Keller ““Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” We are not able to hear the differing opinions in our private prisons. We need to hear the thoughts and opinions of others to increase our learning an then understand by acquiring wise counsel. Do you want to know how to acquire wise counsel? Surround yourself by those who speak His truth. We read a few verses down “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” (Prov. 1:7).
Next in verse 6 we have “To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles” (Prov. 1:6). The point of the proverbs is the understand a proverb in light of His understanding not our own. This again is not to hear a proverb but understand. I have a wife and children. If I had a dollar for every time I heard words coming out of their mouths but didn’t understand but just acted, I would probably be a rich man. My point is that understanding a proverb is much more than hearing it. The understanding the implications of wise sayings and figure gives light to the totality of a situation.
Not to follow this rabbit trail too far but when we understand the things of the Lord and the purposes of His plan, often in retrospect we can see that the point at the time was not for just that time but so that years later we can use that situation as a testimony for others to speak of the deliverance and victory only found in Him.
Now to conclude this first posting in the Proverbs verse 7 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The fear or literal terror of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. We who are redeemed understand that the fear is not for destruction but rather proper respect for the power and awe of His majesty. Yet for the person who does not have the personal relationship with Jesus, their life is quite literally a ticking time bomb. It could at any moment end an thereafter begin their eternal punishment for the murder of the King of kings!
Hence to sum it up these first few verses, the point of these verses for today for us, is to understand Him better by reading and meditating His truth. Do not reject His wisdom found in His instructions but rather allow the healing salve and balm of His instruction to sooth the rough edges of this pottery that He is shaping my life into on His pottery wheel (cf. Rom. 9). Friend, you and I must hear His voice, not harden our hearts (cf. Heb. 3:15), and learn just how “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” Eph. 3:18 (NIV).
Matthew 7:13-14 NASB “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Bold added)
As the original language goes the word used for “small” is στενὴ. This literally translated as small. The KJV renders it as “strait.” I suppose narrow would give some sense of that. Yet as English is an ever-evolving monster, it quite literally means “small.”
Then as you see the way (road or strait) is narrow, a clearer picture I hope comes into view. The way of the cross is not one that has alternate destinations. Though you may come from a thousand different locations, all roads lead to the cross. That is what the word stenhes (from the Greek) is used! The cross is the exclusive way to Jesus. It is reminiscent of the words of encouragement a little later on in Matthew 16:24 where Jesus admonished His disciples “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'”
I can recall, a number of times, being questioned “do you want to learn this the easy way or the hard way?” It seems an easy answer! In fact, it seems the obvious answer! But I think in “doing life” this way (brain injured) this long, I’m starting to prefer the hard way.
Now let me be clear, by saying the hard way doesn’t mean always the longer way. In fact I started at Auburn in 1999 to be a software engineer. By next summer, 2000, I was relearning to walk, talk, read, and write from a brain bleed. That was not the easy way. That was not the shorter way. But by the grace and purposes of the Lord, it was the harder and right way. By this right way I enrolled at Dallas Baptist University. By this harder way I met my now wife of 16 years. By this harder way I obtained my bachelors from DBU, masters from Liberty U, and education specialist degrees to help the hurting from the same. By the harder way I by the grace of the Lord He has brought me to today.
With it being the harder way though, I lost my job in Alabama as an IT worker because the position was dissolved. I lost my job in Lynchburg as I couldn’t pass a certification exam. I lost my vision in my right eye from a brain bleed. I lost my driver’s license from the loss of vision. I lost a bit but gained so much more!
Notice specifically what the verses say. In verse 13, the word used for “way” is ὁδὸς or hodos. This literally means “A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.” (Strong’s Concordance) A few words down in the next verse we read “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
We have here further use of “way” that maybe helps materialize a mental image for your. The road the Christian walks is small, narrow, and a journey leading to the destination of Jesus. Moreover, it is the journey with Jesus that the Christian learns precisely Who this Jesus is and the plans He has for you and I.
As I was studying this morning, I came across an additional gem. In Proverbs 13:15 we read “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard.” Since the whole counsel of Scripture should be considered, how does this figure into the context of Word of the Lord in Matthew 7? Well by my estimation, if you look at the word used for “hard” in Proverbs 13, that would give us a clue. In Proverbs the word translated “way” is וְדֶ֖רֶךְ (wə·ḏe·reḵ). This can be used “way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey.”
If we fast forward to Matthew 7:13 the word used for “way” is ὁδός, which means “a travelled way, road.” Though not an exact transliteration, it is in meaning, Hebrew to Greek this word choice should help you and I understand though there is a definite point of conversion/salvation. After the conversion, the journey just begins! We have a lifetime of experiences and interaction with a lost and dying world where you and I have the opportunities to speak and interact in a redeemed fashion with a dying world!
But remember, I said it was the hard way. What is that all about? Well the road less traveled is fraught with traps, dangers, and unforeseen setbacks. What’s more is that if we take our eyes off of Jesus, many of these traps and snares cannot be avoided! The way is narrow because Jesus is the ONLY way to enter into eternity with Him forever. That is why all the self-help, all the meditation on emptying your mind, all of the distractions to numb your mind is precisely the dangers that Jesus warns us about!
In Colossians 3:1-3 the Apostle Paul admonishes “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Back to Proverbs 13:15 the word translated “hard” (etan – אֵיתָֽן׃ for you Hebrew persons) means , figurative permanent, as substantive steady flow, permanence. But interestingly enough, it also means “a perennial, ever-flowing.” If you place the definition into the word’s place you have, “Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is a steady permanent flow of bad!
If we consider that the life of a Christian rarely is constant in one’s health, vigor, and vitality, how would this affect the believer? If the Christian’s life is hidden in Christ, it would follow that speaking with Christ would be the best way to obtain the who, what, where, when, and how of one’s day! What’s more, to properly scale the crags of life, one must be anchored to the only Rock that doesn’t shift nor change, Jesus!
If the way of the wicked is treacherous, is hard, and subjected to steady ruin, what hope is there? If the way of the righteous is destined for trouble (In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world cf. John 16:33) what do you ad I have hope to make it through this life? It seems darned of you don’t and darned if you do! Ah but Christ!
You see friend, the promise of heaven is one which begins today! The health, vitality, and income you either have or don’t have today will not last! In fact, I can say with certainty that you and I will not live forever in these bodies. We are destined for communion with Jesus for eternity for all who have called on Him. However, if you have not called on Jesus for salvation, you are destined for eternal punishment for rejecting Him.
Life is hard. Jesus told us that. The rocky crags are treacherous. Jesus told us that. These bodies we are in will wilt and decay. Jesus told us that too! But one thing I’m looking forward to that is not far off at all! Prophesied by Isaiah and echoed by Jesus we read in Isaiah 65:
“17“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
18“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness.
19“I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
Therefore, I will rejoice. The Christian’s day with Him is soon to come. The night is nearly over. And the joy overflowing can begin today! Blessings as you continue!
Have you ever watched a fat farm animal waddle? I know it seems a bit of an odd question, but consider. If a sheep, goat, cow, horse or whatever type of critter you farm is overweight because of overfeeding, it becomes prey for a wolf, fox, or other carnivore. The people of Israel knew this as many of them were herdsmen. This is also why the herdsmen knew to keep a good flock, the flock must be led to green pasture. This is why in Ezekiel 34, we read these words:
“1Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 4“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 5“They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. 6“My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.”’”
How did this happen in ancient Israel? There are a number or ulterior reasons, but one overarching one that I believe was the root cause. Found in the second part of verse 2 we read ““Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?” In this warning given by God to the shepherds (or men of the Word of God who should have been sharing the Word and promises of God to His people instead were feeding themselves!
Perhaps you find this to be an odd connection to today, but do we see any instances of that self-feeding to the extreme of ourselves? I know I see it in myself. Our family has a devotion every Saturday mid-morning supposedly led by me as a form of introducing the book or portion of Scripture that our family will be studying for the next few weeks or months. The problem that arises however when the undershepherd (me) doesn’t prepare.
As a father, I have a responsibility first to the Lord, to sit and listen to His instruction and glean from His Word. Then I have a responsibility second to my wife to shepherd her, share with her what I have learned from the Lord in His Word and effectively act out the “iron sharpening iron” we read in Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” Then I hold the unique responsibility to shepherd my children until such time as they are set loose into the world to live out their life in Him.
In the course of just a week then, I bear the responsibility to listen to the Lord, graze on the grace in His Word, and share with others the meat found! When I do such a thing, I effectively am strengthening the sickly (v. 4), I am healing the diseased (v. 4), I am binding up the broken (v. 4), I am bringing back the scattered (v. 4), I am seeking the lost (v. 4).
When one looks at this world today, I am so overwhelmed with the sheer sense of loss. I look at the world and read of so many who die daily without ever hearing the hope of the gospel. I read of so many who are facing challenges that seem insurmountable. But there is One hope!
In the midst and against the modern self-reliant spirit of the age, the answer always has been Jesus. Only Jesus can strengthen the sickly and use them to reach others in their place of service. Only Jesus can heal the diseased and use them for His glory. Only Jesus can bind up the broken hearted! Only Jesus can bring back the scattered to wholeness in Him. Only Jesus is truly seeking the lost! The rest are distractions to this mission.
Yet there is one small difference that we can give to His mission for our sake. We can join Him. Jesus said elsewhere to Peter, “…the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (cf. Matt. 16:18, NASB). This means that His mission is unending until the last soul is safe with Him. This also means that until the last soul is safely residing in heaven for eternity, I have a job to do with Him, seek the lost. So friend, I don’t know where you stand in Christ. But before you stand before Him, stand in Him by giving yourself to Him. And remember His mission, to seek and to save the lost. Blessings as you go!
Perhaps it’s an odd title, but the point stands. God does provide, protect, procure, and proceed His people. God was in the fire when Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego were thrown in the furnace. God was in the fire that led recently released band of fledgling Israelites from the hand of Pharaoh. God was there when Jonah the prophet of God ran from God and was heartburn in the belly of the beast. God was, is, and always will be there!
And to further zoom in on the specific activity of God as told through His servant Job, God provided for Job in the loss of his kids. God protected in the loss of Job’s wealth and wellbeing. God prolonged His love beyond what the evil taunts of Job’s fairweather “friends” claimed to be. Job knew this which is why Job confessed in Job 1:21-22:
“21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”
Job knew, to a lesser extent than God of course that, as the Apostle Paul found in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
This brings us back to the original point of I think the Bible as a whole and our life as a part. We exist for the glory of God. To display His mercies and wonders for all generations is His modus for all of eternity. That is why in Job confessing that the Lord has given (which He always has), Job is telling some of his understanding of Who God has shown Himself to be in mercy.
Job did not know what was coming next. Job did not know what piece or part of his life would fail. Job did not even know if his wife would stick around as we are told in Job 2:9 “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” Needless to say, that is no the encouraging word you typically look for in your spouse. Nevertheless, Job held on to the notion that God was good and something must be arie.
For the final part I want to bring a famous phrase to mind in the way of “Julias Caesar” the play by Shakespeare. As Caesar is swarmed and killed, we read the words ‘y tu, Brute?’ escape the mouth of the leader. The reason being that Brutus was Caesar’s right hand man. Brutus had led in battle for Caesar. Brutus had dined at the banquet’s to celebrate Caesar’s conquest. Brutus had made friends and acquaintances with many of the upper echelon of Roman society. And this Brutus gazes back to the audience as Caesar gasped for life itself in displaying his brotherly love for Brutus all the while his profound betrayal as well.
Do you see the needle I’m trying to thread?
If we like Job will recognize that we don’t have it all together, that we do need help and forgiveness, and do need God daily we have come to the place of greater understanding we need Him.
If we then like the Apostle Paul will williangly and completely surrender do Him recognizing that there is absolutely nothing we have in and of ourselves that would ever please God apart from our total service and friendship to Him.
We, akin to Caesar, should recognize that at best we are fleeting under-rulers of a made up kingdom of which God is King and we are merely His vessels. Then, and only then, can we begin to see that He loves us not because we are lovely, but simply because He chose to first love us.
Proverbs 4:7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
Wisdom is a funny word. To get it you must lose common sense. To obtain it you must often spurn the collective answer. In fact, to get wisdom often requires that you grasp onto something unseen and unforeseen by faith that that hold will strengthen not dissolve into nothingness. And lest this post is straying into the abstract, to drive it home, to get wisdom often means to lose things forever.
To get wisdom, David had to lose his son Absolom. To get wisdom David had to lose one of his best soldiers, Uriah, in a lust-filled deceit that let to the eventual rending of the kingdom of Israel. To get wisdom David’s son Solomon had to watch as his own lusts led to a divided desire like his father and a broken home of his own doing.
Yes, wisdom is a dangerous gift to pray for. When we pray for wisdom, God answers the prayer by putting us through trials so that we can learn wisdom. That is perhaps why wisdom is such a difficult item to acquire! In Proverbs the composer of Proverbs 4 shares with us “acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
It is echoed in the New Testament as the Apostle Paul writes, “But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1, NIV) See the similarity? It is the same teaching, separated by hundreds of years! God in His infinite wisdom has commanded us to get wisdom. But rather than sitting and watching a 5-minute howto video on Youtube, He wishes for you and I to plumb the infinite depths of His Word that testifies to the infinite depths of His Son!
But we have only seen the first half of the verse as it says in part 2, “… with all your acquiring get understanding.” I take this to read, “with all that time you spend marveling and worshiping the Father, understand that you have a responsibility lain out in Scripture to tell others of the Great One you have come to know.” And that is where I see the great commission ( go and tell others Who Jesus is) come to play.
As His Word commands us, you and I have the distinct and wonderful privilege of telling others your story of how Jesus found you! It is unique to you as only you can tell others about how Jesus changed you! This is wonderful news! So going forward into Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, remember why we rejoice! Not because your team scored a touchdown. Not because your paper got an A+ on it. Not even because the tumor came back benign. No, you and I rejoice because if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, then your name is written in the Lambs book of life. And that my friend is worth any amount of diamonds you could pile on any ring!
Happy new year! I guess that’s a little belated. Oh so much has happenend though!
Our eldest has graduated and off to college.
Our youngest is in high school now.
I have a modicum more gray hair but at least it’s holding so far.
My wife looks all the more radiant and beaming as she proudly recites the challenges of life and the victories in the Savior.
I’ve been interviewed in a podcast for TBI survivors to highlight and dispense with the pleasantries and get down to brass tacks regarding the need of culture to be made more aware of TBI!
As this isn’t the place for that however, let’s get back to the Bible which talks about Who life should be about, Jesus Christ! We left off talking about a broken spirit who can endure it. This is true as many ultimately will be cast into hell because of their unwillingness to seek the only Salve that lasts forever, the salvation of Jesus Christ! With that, let me jump right back into where I left off.
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The mind and the ear apparently are the intitial contacts with the outside world to receive and intially interpret the confusion of this world. Perhaps here it would be a good reminder to don the armor of God to both fend off the arrows and thrusts of the enemy that seek to distract and ultimately destroy us. To parry, one must hear with his or her ear and then turn from the voices they were listening to. Moreover the mind directs the ear toward knowledge. So there appears to be a willful and directed movement of the body so that the ear is poisitioned and the body is aligned to find knowledge which in turn becomes wisdom in due time.
16 A person’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great people.
The word used for gift here is מַתָּ֣ן (mat·tan) which is the word used to describe wedding gifts and also the very name of Nathan, King David’s friend who eventually revealed to the king his deception before the people. Nathan was a gift, which for the moment seemed embarrasing but led to repentance and healing.
17 The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.
I debated to steer clear of politics but as its so pervasive on my mind, it is election year after all, the prospect of cross-examination seems so rudimentary but necessary. For the U.S. we seem to be beset with choosing before the lesser of two aged men. I personally believe this to be an asset for one and certainly not for the other, but I do know this: election 2028 will be new personalities and characters. So to steer us back to verse 17, I am encouraged to know that Jesus’s perfect plan is not shaken by a temporary tumult that happens in the U.S. every 4 years. In fact, after 1000 years of singing praises to Christ next to the crystal see, I scarecly doubt we will ever remember this TEMPORARY affliction of life on this earth.
18 The cast lot puts an end to quarrels, And decides between the mighty ones.
Interesting that the cast lot is spoken of here as what do we now have that causes the lot to be forgotten? The Holy Spirit! Oh what a blessing it is to be limited only by our knowledge of Scripture and our daily walk with Him. Whereas in years before, especially before the Acts 2 giving of the Holy Spirit marking the age of the Church, we would have had to listen to Rabbi’s and oral traditions. Now, because of our ability to understand Scripture for ourselves, every believer has the ablity to in part understand!
19 A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.
How often this is true! In glory, we will not quarrel. On earth, if you have children, friends, coworkers, or drive, you bicker. You quarrel. What is the solution? Be quick to forgive, quick to be corrected, and be quick to repair the chasm created by bitterness and unforgiveness.
20 With the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
Easy enough to understand, you eat good food, your appetite and tast buds will be satiated. The satisfaction likewise of the mind can be given by the product of your lips. Reminding me of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Love is a fickle thing but seldom hard to understand the consequences. If you hate someone, that hatred could end in literal murder. Conversely, if you love someone the end of that love could be the love of an entire lifetime. Afterall, for those who believe in and surrender to Christ, their lives are now eternally wrapped up with His for eternity!
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
And just has likewise it could be said of the females a husband, when you find someone to share your life with in the most difficult and intimate of ordeals, it can make a difference. In a much lesser illustration, few people who have cared for an animal, be it a dog or cat, would say that they didn’t care for pay for and likewise receive love an affection. Multiplied much more is the love of one person for another. Then infinintely more is the love Jesus Christ has for us. He loves us! What’s more, Jesus didn’t fall in love with us as we became known to Him. Here I’m using caps intentionally, HE ALWAYS LOVED US!
23 A poor person utters pleadings, But a rich person answers defiantly.
I couldn’t help but notice the passage shifts from marraige to a poor person. They must have had children! Hah. But seriously here we shift our focus from husband and wife to a poor person uttering pleadings. These legal pleadings conjur the images of a defendant pleading with the judge for mercy. As we who are in Christ can confidently and humbly plead to Christ to take our place and He will. To the “rich person”, that is swollen with pride and self-sufficiency, they defiantly and brazenly answer to the One Who made, owns, and created everything, “I don’t need you”. And that very well becomes the cry until judgement falls on them for an eternity in the lake of fire.
24 A person of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Who is this person who sticks closer than a brother? Me being an only child honestly kind of struck me as odd. But my wife who has brothers helped me understand more detailed to have a brother is to have a confidant who you can both be driven stark raving crazy mad, AND feel a close affection and protection as they offer familial protection that is hard to find on this earth.
Which brings to a close this chapter, but I wonder Who this could be pointing the reader? Enter: Jesus Christ
6 A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 9 He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. 11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor. 13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. 14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
6 A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
Regardless of your political sayings, one thing we should all be able to agree on is the words of a fool vs the words of the wise. By my limited understanding the words of a fool are those which prove false, purposefully distorted, and deliberately fabricated. Now that every side and every person is equally embarrassed, self included, I’m reminded that though in the US we live in a representative republic. As such, when Christ returns we will live under a monarchy ruled by the perfect King of kings. Let us remember this lest we forget that our current temporal ruling class is the ultimate authority. It is the fool’s lips that bring strife, regardless of the ruling structure in place!
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
I remember from growing up someone told me “you got two ears and one mouth, use proportionately.” In other words as Aaron Burr’s character in Hamilton said “talk less, smile more”. Smiling also indicates you are eagerly listening rather than debating.
8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Possibly a modern way to look at this would be a cake or sweet at a party. Sure it gives the partaker a temporary fix of gossip, but in the end decays the partaker therein.
9 He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.
One thing I tried to never do was be lax in my work. I tried to show up before work began and stay late if needed. My employers were grateful but also base when it came to shift-work. If you didn’t or couldn’t do your job, you were canned. I lost two jobs because I was promoted to the point that I could not perform the tasks. For you, don’t let it be that your termination is a result of your laziness. As Paul wrote do your work heartily (cf. Colossians 3:23–24)!
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
And when the inevitable bad news, or termination, or downsizing comes, to whom do you turn? The reader is reminded that Jesus is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe. This means that when you were wronged, run to Jesus! When you were wrong, own up to it and run to Jesus! The point, run to Jesus so then you can run with Jesus!
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.
There are so many examples, but here note your attitude and demeanor. Ask others “am I being a jerk or a help?”. In order to be honored, remember that your altitude often is based on your attitude!
13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
This in practice seems so simple. A Divine command to shut up. But the reason for this is to hear! I’m reminded of God’s discussion with Job “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me (Job 38:3). Job had to hear God before he answered. Perhaps the lesson to be learned from this also is that Job’s friends were no longer mentioned, only Job! Two ears, one mouth indeed. And of note, no mention is made of Jobs friends after God got the final word!
1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. 3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
Eternal principles 1 – v 1 beware isolation vs separation to pray
1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
There is beyond value in community. When we die we will spend an eternity. In that eternal bliss or curse, if we decide that our agenda our best, and we are our highest aim Jesus will grant that request. Unfortunately because you and I are incapable of maintaining even one minute on our own we will be forced to depend on Christ. The mercies of God provide an eternal existence for both the sinner and the saint. The separation occurs ultimately when the person decides they will provide for their own existence apart from Christ thereby affording them with eternity separated from Christ; to their own wishes.
2 – v 2 beware misunderstanding vs misrepresentation
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
This verse hits differently as I age. As a senior in high school I was at the top of my domain. I co-owned a business, had a full ride scholarship to Auburn and all the accolades I could imagine. Spring of 2000, one year later I was laid up in a hospital at University of Alabama at Birmingham of Alabama clinging to life. Notwithstanding my nearly complete lack of awareness of the effect my life would have in others. Your life matters! Don’t waste it pursuing things that you know will end in terror and heartache, follow Christ!
3 – v 3 beware who you’re hanging around
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.
What does this mean? Whether we are aware or not our company can influence our walk, talk, and relationships! When we align ourselves with the new coworker or new student who intentionally takes shortcuts, skirts orders, or is lax in their discipline we ought to mercifully warn them either as a peer or a supervisor they are wasting a God-ordained opportunity at success thereby slandering His Name.
4 – v 4 beware the words that are coming out of your mouth
What you say matters. Always there is One Who listens, and I done mean just your inner voice. Christ is all present and all powerful! This is not to scare you but admonish you, seek the Lord while He may be found! As one who has been heavily sedated because of surgery it is terrifying to suddenly wake up unaware of anything or anyone around you. That is why we should always be aware of the words we speaking!
5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
I am a casual observer at best of the political news of the day. I am a conservative not a republican or democrat. I have been to Washington, DC three or four times and actually took my wife there for our anniversary a few years ago. I greatly admire the motivations and men and women who founded this great nation. But our nation, the United States, is not to be our eternal home. One day, each of us will die. Then we will either spend an eternity in the presence of Christ for all who have bowed the knee and trusted in Christ as their Lord, Savior, and friend. Or we will refuse the grace and forgiveness He offered on the cross and thereby curse His forgiveness and damn ourselves to separation from God for an eternity. My hope, if you’re reading this you have already trusted in Christ. My challenge? If not, you need to get right with Christ before you take your next breath!
24 Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Carrying over from the previous discussion of a broken and financially destitute person, we are then told that wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding. Why? As I read and understand, the person who deals with the here and ow and manages and arranges his or her finances will do well in the future to deal with that in its appropriate time. Conversely, one who constantly looks to the “next big thing” will live for the next bit thing only to be met with disappointment and despair. You must “engage” the world (which incidentally is the name of our discipleship group at church) in order to effect others opinions and affect other’s life!
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
As a son, this is a warning and a challenge. How can I as a son offer my life as a pleasing sacrifice to the Savior and also as a testimony in part to my parents as a life well lived? In better case scenario, my father will pass on before I do. This is the order of things. Yet in the worst case scenario I will pass before my father because of carousing and debauchery. What is the choice? Because I want to live a life pleasing to the King of kings and our heavenly Father, I will live my life in such a way as to be a godly influence to my wife and children thereby leaving a legacy, albeit imperfect, of a life lived to the pleasure of the King Jesus.
26 It is also not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
As we slide further and further to the rights of whichever mankind-created minority is this week, I do find concerning what words or which formerly nascent nudge will become the latest buzzword of offense! It is not good to fine the righteous, because the finer will find their reward coming from the pit of hell!
27 One who withholds his words has knowledge, and one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding.
I was advise either in school or perhaps on the ball-field, you have two ears and one mouth, use in proportion accordingly. Likewise, one who withholds his words or perhaps for today’s vernacular bites his tongue, has knowledge. The words likely did need to be said but at that particular moment in a heightened frenzy of emotion an and language, probably could have waited. Thus even in ancient Israel, be cool!
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
Finally, even a silent fool is perhaps wise. Do you know why? Because concealing your thoughts makes other wonder rather than scoff. Two ears, one mouth. Use accordingly.
And happy valentine’s day or singles awareness day, depending on your particular station at this time!
Part 1: County Mayo John O’Donovan Ordinance Survey 1838 John O’Donovan was a 19th Century Irish historian who among other things tried to learn the origin of every place name and surname on the Ireland. He often consulted the old people when he visited an area to learn the past. He didn’t accept everything he heard. The connection most commonly made was that the O’Maonghailes must have left Donegal at the time of O’Doherty’s Revolt in 1608 Last year’s presentation took this point of view even though there was no corroborating evidence
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Why might you ask? Though gold is great for a time, it is still a limited commodity and only temporary. After this life is the eternal one. If we are not widely invested in the life to come, we can be sure to suffer loss and for those without a personal loving relationship with Creator God, eternal damnation because He wanted that relationship with you and I! Understanding is useless if you are without a relationship!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.
Highway here should be taken as the fast way or sure way from point A to point B. To be on the highway is to follow after Jesus. But like any traveler, at times you take the wrong exit, get turned around, and even get in an accident from time to time. This is precisely why we are admonished to allow Christ to be our gps and guide!
8 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Favorite verse in all of Scripture. Not because I have attained it but rather because so often I fail. Compounded with the fact that I’ve had to learn to walk three times now, it helps one stay grounded to the fact that we are but one breath away from ceasing to live.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Tine after time and example after example individuals can be used as pictures of what NOT to do, self-included! Rather that count your chips before the hand is finished remember we’ve still got spoil to gain as we advance the gospel to the outermost of the earth!
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
In our attention deprived, fast food environment, we want three points and a poem one or two times a year so we can check off our religiosity card for the year. Nevertheless, giving our full attention to His Holy Word yields life everlasting & the added benefit of help for today as well! That’s why blessed is he who trusts (daily) in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it are three separate skills we all must master. A doctor may find cancer but because of their training let the patient know in a calm and reassuring manner. A carpenter may find termites that have eaten the frame up in the basement without the owner knowing. To me the sweetness of their behavior can belie the truth they have found. Shoot straight and tell the truth!
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.
That is why the discipline in question here is understanding of life. Difficulty is a given, how you and I deal with the difficulty often determines our legacy or languishing!
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
That is why the motive of the wise is to build nor burden beyond repair. Often to build tearing down part of the structure is necessary. Yet as one replaces the foundation with brick and mortar, the wood, hay, and stubble formerly gathered can be burnt off in lieu of solid foundation!
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Honeycomb was primarily used in this time as the sweetener for the meals. Pleasant words, like pleasant food often have both a restorative effect on both the mind and body!
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Too often I have been deceived to thinking the easy way was the right way. Sometimes it is but more often I have to be reminded that I am a guest here. This is not my eternal home. As such, as a sojourner, I will lead my family with the view that one day all this will pass and we will dell forevermore on a new earth with Him. It is to this future we should fix our gaze
26 A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.
Plain enough, if you’re to live you’re to work. One day that privilege will pass but if you’re hungry, work
27 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.
In the dark corners of the world wide web all sorts of mischief can be found. Likewise however, and closer to home, it may be that those in need are placed in your care because you have a need to provide. What can you and I offer?
28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
Verse 28 speaks clearly but I wonder could the slander I utter be used as a dart of Satan to be hurled at others? Don’t speak in darts but love!
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.
Someone who encourages senseless violence could be the catalyst for further trouble. Are the words I am speaking building up the kingdom or creating further division?
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
Perhaps foreign to many but to a Jew is these days, to wink your eye was to give approval of an encouragement to evil. Flee evil and encourage good!
31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is given often to those who have been through adverse and difficult trials. While certainly not a blanket statement, I certainly know that my beard was red and brown until I was a pastor for a short time. Now it being gray as well as my hair on my head in understand gray hair just means that you have made so many bad decisions that the color of your hair has either fallen out or colors have been hidden from the world!
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Why? To capture should require planning and compassion as the people inside are still people or created potential representatives of the King of kings. Thus to barge in and command your way is to ignore the planning and foresight of those who came before. Instead, learn from what has already been done so that you may build and not conquer.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Playing a number of board games this Christmas and recognizing the lot of the dices decision seemed to be dictated by chance made me even more aware, Jehovah God knows the cast of the dice, the hairs on our head, and the breaths we have left. Therefore, probably best to check with Him on what’s next! Blessings as you continue!
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