December 20 – Love and Seek Life

 ““I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me” 
“For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.”– Proverbs 8:17; 35-36 (NASB)

 

This is the voice of Wisdom speaking. The first line of Proverbs 8 says “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?” The writer of these proverbs knew the value of wisdom and so in this and other chapters, Wisdom is given the voice. But it is truly the voice of our Lord God. We can know this from Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” All that God says is wise and worthy to be accepted as a way to live our lives. In today’s promise we find that Wisdom loves those who love her and it is to them that she guides in the way of the Lord. The contrary promise is that those who hate Wisdom, and many do so, we find that what they love is death. Perhaps they do not think so or know so but anyone hating wisdom, so as to spurn it, is acting as if he loves death. Life comes to those who seek and find Wisdom and take it in. Praise be to God who gives us the path to wisdom and Wisdom itself becomes our gift from God.

 

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November 2 – Living Out the Life

“My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” -  Proverbs 3:21-23 (ESV)

 

We might take a moment to think about how much our appearance is important to us. We, well most anyway, apply some effort to ‘look presentable’ in degrees from slight to excessive. While such effort has an effect on our outward appearances, we ought to put some thought into how we might appear according to our inner-self. This is best accomplished by observing today’s cautions. That is to maintain sound wisdom and discretion and not let them drop from our sight or attention. The promise, if we do is life for our soul and ‘adornment for our neck.’  The Hebrew word for ‘adornment’ speaks of maintaining a graceful or gracious attitude toward others. Such an effort will look good on our lives. People will notice that we are people who offer grace to others. Such people tend to be humble and popular because of their manner that shines from within. Additionally, there is a promise that such ‘adornment’ being as obvious as an attractive medallion hanging around our neck provides security and stability in our daily walk. This is the means to a life above reproach which is manifesting the grace of God in our lives.

 

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November 1 – Seeking Leads to Blessing

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,” – Proverbs 3:13 (ESV)

Our promise in this verse from Proverbs 3 is for a blessing or to be blessed. Often the word ‘happy’ is used as a synonym for ‘blessed. By understanding that ‘blessedness’ is a mark of supreme and perfect happiness, then this interpretation should fit. Seeking to be blessed is a good desire and action. We caution to not understand this ‘happiness’ the same as the what our world seems to offer up when a person is said to be happy. Such happiness is often the result of self-centered motivation. Blessed is deeper and much more rewarding. Who it is that receives this promise in fullness?  It’s the ones who ‘find’ wisdom. It’s not an accidental or chance finding such as when we find money on the sidewalk. The greater meaning of the Hebrew word for find has the sense of ‘reaches’ what one wants through purposeful ‘seeking.’ The reward of blessing is ours by acquiring the understanding of the wisdom we seek. Of course we seek to find wisdom because we need the understanding and we ‘get’ or ‘draw out’ by digging for that understanding. We are blessed with the result of our search.  

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August 31 – A King’s Duty

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9 (NASB)

The last chapter of Proverbs is made up of two poems which are generally attributed to a person named King Lemuel. The more familiar is the second one called “The Excellent Wife” verses 10-31. The first is “The Wise King” verses 2-9. We don’t know much about King Lemuel, other than what is revealed in Proverbs 31. The name Lemuel means “for God” or “devoted to God.” Based on this one passage we know that Lemuel was a king, he had a wise mother, and he wrote some poetry. Many commentators have surmised that Lemuel is actually King Solomon—in which case the mother would be Bathsheba. Others suggest King Hezekiah or that Lemuel and his mother are characters created Solomon as a picture of an ideal king and queen mother. The counsel from King Lemuel’s mother is good advice for any leader of men. Plead for those who cannot plead their own case, namely those who are otherwise ruined by their condition of weakness. A country’s leaders duty was to righteously uphold the case of the helpless in both physical (v. 6) and material (v. 9). May the Lord grant us many rulers like King Lemuel heeding this advice. 

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August 30 –Tried and Proven

“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6 (NASB)

These are the words of Agur the son of Jakeh the oracle. We can only suggest that Agur was an otherwise unknown sage who could have been a student or teacher of wisdom at the time of Solomon. The words are identified as an oracle which was often used of the words of a prophet. The verses or proverbs we’ve selected compare the certainty of divine revelation and the uncertainty of our speculation of what God’s words mean. Stating that every word of God is ‘tested’ is literally ‘tried’ in verse 5.  The same teaching comes to us in Psalm 12:6 “The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Proverbs 30:6 delivers a powerful affirmation on the inspired nature of God’s canonical Word to Israel. To add to or subtract from God’s Word is to deny God as the standard of truth. The same instruction and warning are given in Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32. It is a first and frequent practice of false teachers to modify the words of God. The Bible concludes with the warning again in Revelation 22:18-19 with a more dire warning.

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August 29 – Stiff Necks, Hardened Hearts

“A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.” – Proverbs 29:1 (NASB)

It was during the reign of King Hezekiah that 137 proverbs spoken by Solomon were copied into this collection (chapters 25 – 29). Solomon warns us of the danger of fighting God’s will in our life. Resistance can leave us useless. In Exodus 4:21 is the first mention of a heart being hardened. The Lord’s direct and personal involvement in the affairs of men to accomplish His purposes is revealed when God informed Moses what would happen with Pharaoh. Pharaoh was also warned that his own refusal would bring judgment on him (Exodus 4:23). God told Moses that Pharaoh would certainly refuse* (Exodus 3:19). In the letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul used this hardening as an example of God’s enigmatic will and absolute power to intervene as He chooses, yet never without loss of personal responsibility for actions taken (Romans 9:16–18). The theological conundrum posed by such interplay of God’s acting and Pharaoh’s acting can only be resolved by accepting the Biblical record as it stands and by taking affirmative refuge in the omniscience and omnipotence of God who planned and delivered Israel from Egypt, and in so doing also judged Pharaoh’s sinfulness.

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* This interplay between God’s hardening and Pharaoh’s hardening his heart must be kept in balance. Ten times (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17) the historical record notes specifically that God hardened the king’s heart, and ten times (Exodus 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35; 13:15) the record indicates Pharaoh hardened his own heart.

August 28 – For Want of God's Leadership

“When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.” – Proverbs 28:2 (ESV)

Another promise that warns of bad actions. This is meant for the land or country ruled by unrighteous leaders. Unrighteousness in a nation produces political instability, with many vying for power, thus the tenure of each leader is shortened. Wisdom promotes social order and long rule. Poor leadership creates instability on a national level. This is not only true in the current state of most countries today but it has been true over the centuries before and since these proverbs were written. Avarice leads to greed for power and control. False promises can abound to the point that the people of a land do not trust what their leadership says. Does any of this sound familiar these days? There is a promise that is good and true in the second part of the proverb. We can acknowledge God’s hand in the perpetuation of the state led by men of understanding and knowledge. The long and prosperous reigns of the kings of Judah – the Southern Kingdom are strongly contrasted with the records of Israel after the ten tribes split and formed the Northern Kingdom where not a single king is called Good.

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August 27 – Be Wary of Applause

“The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and each is tested by the praise accorded him.” – Proverbs 27:21 (NASB)

Praise is enjoyable often sought after as a means to shape bolster our self-image and confirm that we have what we desire from others. It is a part of our natural man to desire acclimation and approval from others. Some seek it diligently and strategically and others take it as it comes and do not live for it. No matter, we each find it very difficult to perform before others without doing the self-evaluation on “how we did.” We want to be found worthwhile, capable and proficient to do our assigned tasks. We do not attain excellence every time and sometimes we flop miserably. With our proverb today is another with a similar lesson. Proverbs 27:19; “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.” Not only do we seek affirmation from our peers and the congregations but we seek it from ourselves. Our hearts reflect what we are. Looking for acceptance and even celebrity status is like spending too much time in front of a mirror fretting over our appearance. The looking glass will only return what we really are just as our heart reveal our true motivations. 

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August 26 –Quelling the Busy Tongue

 “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death, so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not joking?” For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.” – Proverbs 26:18-20 (NASB)

Perhaps we can recognize in today’s proverb verses the effect of the anonymity that social media provides. It is too easy for one to be reckless with our words and when challenged claim “this is sarcasm.” The wild and reckless archer is referred to first in verse 10 and is a picture a troublemaker. After deceiving his neighbor he tries to duck responsibility when accused by saying “I was only joking.” But that is humor in bad taste. Deceptive words and harsh conversation, like deadly arrows, the damage to another’s reputation has already been done and rarely can be recovered. Our promise is a warning against the damage course jesting or speaking in sarcastic or disingenuous form. Rather we are encouraged to act wisely and to not add any fuel to a simmering temper and so let hard feeling calm down. Even more, keep it close to our chests and not give it the wings of gossip by whispering it in hushed tones. The better way to respond is to not employ a busy tongue which makes trouble where it does not find any.

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August 25 – Kindness Instead

 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” – Proverbs 25:21-22 (NASB)

Today the Proverb we look at may likely be one of the more familiar and frequently heard. The Apostle Paul quotes this in Romans 12:13 as part of his instruction for us to not seek revenge for wrongs. It is better Paul says to “leave room for the wrath of God.” What is our promise for today? It is the promise of the reward we receive by choosing a ‘better way,’ a way God has given to us on how we should be dealing with the conflicts others bring into our life. The heathen code of morals doe not contain this perfection of love. Ultimately every system concedes to selfishness which is found in the heart of every person. The common principle was to love those that love us. Enemies were expected and it was hatred and revenge that was understood by all while this principle of “heaping hot coals,” through an expression of love, resulting in an enemy’s softening was not understood. This principal was taught by Jesus as how to live ‘Kingdom life’ in Matthew 5:43-48.

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August 24 –Considering God’s Reasonableness

“My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” – Proverbs 24:21-22 (NASB)

What are we to do when we find in Scripture directions and instructions that seem unreasonable? Are we to think that “surely it doesn’t really mean that” and go on creating an adapted meaning that fits our reason?  No. Today’s passage instructs us to fear the LORD (No problem with that is there?) and the king! This is identifying our responsibility to whoever, by any title, is our head of state. Our independence naturally kicks against submission. We hear the cry for the sovereignty of the people. As the picture of those manipulators has been drawn to life nearly two thousand years ago—“walking after the flesh—despising government—presumptuous, self-willed—not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” Such men love change for the sake of change. The leaders of the parties disturb the public peace, by promising changes, however without any assurance of fulfillment.* Loyalty to the king is proper because he is the agent of the Lord’s wisdom—believe it or not; (Deuteronomy 17:14–20; Romans 13:1–7). That loyalty includes having no part with rebels who seek to subvert or overthrow the king (“change”). Peter draws on this verse in his call to good citizenship in 1 Peter 1:17; 2:17.

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* Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs, (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1865), 387.

August 23 – Cease Wearisome Pursuits

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” – Proverbs 23:4-5 (NASB)

The precepts of a Christian life can be found clearly in Scripture. All it takes is to pay attention to what is there, to what we read in the Bible, and examine carefully with Scripture what we hear and read elsewhere. It is not rare for a teaching to be found contrary to explicit truth in the Word of God. Today’s passage is one such time or example. There is an overwhelming flood of false teaching we call the ‘prosperity gospel.’ It teaches that wealth is evidence of blessing and is available to any who will ‘claim it.’ It is not wrong or evil to be wealthy and to work hard and be rewarded with bountiful returns. God does provide abundance to his children but when he does, we are to use our abundance to glorify God.  So, today we have a Proverb that gives us a specific caution and the reason for the caution. The wearisome pursuit of prosperity wealth style should not even be considered as a goal in life. Why? Because all things rich and poor are temporary. Here today, it’ll be gone tomorrow and we can’t take it with us when we leave this earth.  

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August 22 – Listen Closely for Knowledge

 “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, To make you know the certainty of the words of truth that you may correctly answer him who sent you? ” – Proverbs 22:17-21 (NASB)

Our longer than usual passage today is reminiscent of Prv 2:1-5; and 5:1-2. It cautions us to be alert to hear and speak the wisdom of God. It is within human nature, which is fallen and without hope apart from God, that we will tend to disregard the words of the wise and even the words we read in our Scripture.  The term in verse 20; excellent things, is literally “chief proverbs.”  These verses which make up our passage is an introductory section of exhortation. What follows are a collection of words for the wise worshiper of God. The instruction “Incline your ear” is better translated “Bow down your ear,”  Just as we might lean in and bow down to hear an elder person offer good words of advice or instruction and so that we will catch all that they have to say. Such words from God that follow and continue through Proverbs 24 are words of value and words we should heed with all diligence. If we do, there are many promised delivered to us as well as many warnings and cautions. 

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August 21 – The Right Weigh

“Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.” – Proverbs 21: 2-3 (NASB)

GOALSETTING – This is something most people do or are encouraged to do as a step to success in any endeavor they undertake. Of course the goals we set are good goals, right goals and we plan for them to help us reach even more goals. This is what our verse is talking about. We each plan our lives, our careers, our families, our vacations with the hope that the outcome will be beneficial and make our lives rewarding. We each believe our plans are the right plans to have. But. But what? But the Lord God is the one who knows our hearts and our motivations. He sees all that is down the road of our life. So it is the judgment of God whether our goals and plans are right and good, isn’t it? What our verse says here is also found in Micah 6:3 and that is where we find out what is good from the Lord. Justice, kindness and humility is what God wants us to consider as we plan our ways and set our goals. This is how we glorify God which is our main goal. Right?

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August 20 – Staying Away From Strife

 “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.” – Proverbs 20:3 (NASB)

Today’s proverb verse is very apropos for our day, especially with easy access to social media and the anonymity it provides for users. Quarrels, arguments, and contentious exchanges happen frequently on every platform in the social media world. It becomes too easy to grasp at our supposed right to voice our opinion or to think it is our duty to “set others right” when they express what we do not agree with. Consider the wisdom from Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.”  Overlooking a disagreement is the better way of discretion and the better way to peaceful coexistence. To do so does not equate to agreement or approval but it does keep open the channels of communication. A world of sin must always be a world of strife, because governed by the wisdom that does not descend from above, for is produces “strife, confusion, and every evil work.”(James 3:14-16) It is in an evil world that we find a opportunity to display the grace of God, manifesting the fruits of “the wisdom that is from above”—meekness—gentleness. (James 3:17)

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August 19 – Threefold Eternal Fruit

“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand. What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” – Proverbs 19:21-23 (NASB)

In the beginning God and man were as one.  But ever since the fall, man’s devices and God’s counsel are at opposition. There is no doubt which will triumph. “There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. My counsel shall stand, and so I will do all my will.” (Proverbs 21:30) The privilege of doing good is within the reach of all. For when the poor fails, the desire of a man is his kindness, as acceptable as the most expensive proof of love. Such a desire is far better in the sight of God, in the heart of one of his poor people, than a man with large opportunities and hollow professions, who proves himself to be a liar. The poor gives readily. The rich cannot afford for he denies that he has the ability though he promises, he does nothing. With the grace of the gospel, we cultivate awesome respect. Threefold fruit is the promise set before us—life, satisfaction, security. It leads to life—not the mere natural life, common to the unbeliever—but a heavenly—an eternal life, in the favor and enjoyment of God.

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August 18 – Security In The Tower

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

Towers from antiquity have always been vital and strategic for protection. From earliest records, towers demonstrated power and wealth. Towers were named by the person who built them or the town for which they were built. Watchtowers built by farmers were platforms from which farmers protected their land and livestock. These towers were also a protected shelter for shepherds to watch their flocks and a fortified position for sentinels to guard a city. The expression, “the name of the LORD” used in this verse is found only here in Proverbs. It contains the very name of God and stands for the manifest perfections of God such as faithfulness, power, mercy, and wisdom, on which the righteous rely for security. The righteous turn to the name of the Lord, that is, to His revealed character. In Exodus 3:15 when God calls Moses from out of the wilderness he says to him “ This is My name forever, My memorial-name to all generations.” In Exodus 15:3 Moses declares “The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name.” By putting our trust in His Name we’re as safe as a person hiding from the enemy in a strong tower.

A watchtower on the south side of the Levonah Valley, in the mountains on the border between Samaria and Judea.

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August 17 – The Chaos of Tattling Tales

“He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.” – Proverbs 17:9 (NASB)

What might be our first thought when reading this verse for today?  A cover-up? Such action does not seem to fit this context. Instead, this regards the manner in which we manage what we hear about others transgressions.  Or, it regards how we respond when others offend us. It is the question of whether we turn it into gossip and spread the stories which though true, do no good for anyone. The repeating a matter has often separated friends by uncovering a forgotten quarrel. Harm might not be intended, but amusing ourselves with the follies or weakness of our Christian brothers and sisters is sinful trifling, fraught with injury. They are justly called “tattlers, busy-bodies, gossips” who revel in speaking things which they ought not.  A disciplined tongue is a restraining mercy to the Church. 

Let’s look at how other versions relate this proverb. 

• Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends. (God’s Word Translation) 
• Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it. (Easy-to-Read Version)
• He who conceals an offense promotes love, but he who harps on it can separate even close friends. (Complete Jewish Bible)

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August 16 – Awesome Respect is Fear of God

“By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.” - Proverbs 16:6  (NASB)

Words used in other versions for ‘lovingkindness’ in this proverb are: ‘steadfast love,’ and ‘mercy.’ We receive what we do not deserve and we don’t receive what we do deserve. This is the mercy given to us by God Himself to those who believe in Him and in His promise of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was the work of Jesus who willingly went to the cross to dies as a sinless man that provided all who believe the atonement they need.  By God’s “lovingkindness and truth,” He affects the atonement or covering of sin, which for the believing sinner inclines him to keep away from evil. And “the fear of the Lord” is reverential awe and admiring, submissive fear which is the foundation for all spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The unbeliever may make statements about life and truth yet they don’t have true or ultimate knowledge until they are, by the Holy Spirit brought into a redemptive relationship of reverential awe with God. The fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God’s.

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August 15 – Using Wisdom Wisely

“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the hearts of fools it is made known.” – Proverbs 14:33 (NASB) 

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly. ” – Proverbs 15:2 (NASB)

The lessons we learn from Proverbs are found more than once. Today we look at two verses that teach us the same truth. Those with understanding hold on carefully to the wisdom they learn. Often does the wise man show the blessing of wisdom on the lips. Here we trace it to its home. It flows from the head, and rests in the heart. But there is another fountain always bubbling up. The fool’s multitude of words, selfish indulgence, uncontrolled passions, make manifest what is in the midst of him. In our second verse from Proverbs chapter 15, We see the he wise commands and has control of his tongue. The fool does not for his tongue commands him. Those without wisdom may have a mass of knowledge in their possession. But lacking the inner sense to know how to use it, its knowledge runs to waste. Wisdom is proved, not by the considerable possession of knowledge, but by its right application. Let’s be careful with what we say, making sure we say it with the help of God’s Spirit and with love and kindness. 

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Today’s blog was posted late. Delay due to illness. Our apologies are offered for missing the schedule.