Plan Your Trip

(Pro 24:8 KJV) He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

Who is this guy who “deviseth” (plans NASB) (2803) to “do evil” (7489a)?  One of the big mistakes we make is thinking he is a rare commodity.  In reality he is most of the people we meet.   The Hebrew word is used 5 times in Proverbs but 122 in the Old Testament.  Each time it appears in Proverbs it has some kind of negative connotation.  That is not true in the OT as a whole.  I thought it was interesting that it was used in what I consider the spiritual gift of craftsmanship in the building of the tabernacle. 

The confusion comes because we live in a world where the concept of evil is rejected unless it is applied to Godly people living moral lives.  That is considered evil by our society. 

So?  Make note of the multitude of places where the path of the righteous is totally different than the path of the socially accepted in our culture.  Check your roadmap and make sure you are on the right route.

Rein Dance

(Pro 23:16 KJV) Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

The KJV has “reins” for “inmost being” (3629).  Reins.  Really?  The Hebrew word is literally “kidney” as in  “I love you with all of my kidneys”.  If you think about it there is a concept that you can wrap your head around.  Reins are what are used to control the horses that power the chariot.  They are what the cowboy hero was trying to get hold of as he hung under the charging horses in the old westerns.  It is saying we need to rejoice with what controls us.

So?  If you can’t understand this kind of joy find an infant that is old enough to respond but has no sense of embarrassment.  Get it excited and its entire body will wriggle.  We need to get that jazzed when someone does the right thing. 

Handle with Care

(Pro 22:24 KJV) Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

What is the problem with being “hot-tempered” (2534)?  Such people are looking for trouble.  It is interesting that when you follow this word back to its root you find that one of the uses is describing an animal that is “in heat”.  Not only are they ready to rumble but they put out a smell that attracts those who want to participate.  We can sense the anger in people.  We are to avoid it.

So?  Would you want to get into a car driven by someone with a short trigger?  Would you hand a loaded gun to someone who is frothing at the mouth?  God expects us to use our brains.  Don’t disappoint Him. 

To Die For

(Pro 21:25 KJV) The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

What is this “desire” (8378) that has the ability to kill us?  I see it going in at least two directions.  One target is the things desired.  This seems to be a quality shared by people at all levels of wealth.  It is part of the human condition.  As we get older and experience more we desire more.  A newborn does not desire ice cream because he has never tasted ice cream.  There is however a desire for something to fill the void or remove the discomfort.

The second direction is to have without payment.  In the market we call it theft.  In the job market we call it “gold bricking”.  We want to have a better paying job but are not willing to get the training it requires.  We want a fresh salad but are unwilling to pick up a knife and start chopping.  We want our sox picked up but think we are too good.

So?  It may not happen overnight, but wanting without willing to work will kill you. 

Lessons to Learn

(Pro 20:30 KJV) The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Some people only learn the hard way.  Some people refuse to learn until it is too late.  I guess some people never know they have anything to learn, at least in some areas. 

There are two dangers when we have hard times or tragedy.  One is to assume that it is the result of sin.  We are much more ready to see that in others.  The other danger is to refuse to examine ourselves to see if sin could have caused the problem.

So?  Honesty with ourselves is more important than honesty with others.  Having said that, it is not an excuse to deceive others.  Righteousness is a quality that touches all of life. 

Mocking Justice

(Pro 19:28 KJV) An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

Get the big picture here.  There are certain attitudes that are common in our world and too common in the church.  The first part of the verse is a reminder of all the social justice warriors that are making a mockery of the word “justice” or “sound judgement,” depending on your translation.  Regardless of the translation the danger is severe.  I can’t speak for past generations but I can observe what is going on now.  God’s standards are under attack. 

Never forget that justice is based on unchanging truth and values.  It is not to be confused with manipulation for political advantage. 

So?  It has to start somewhere and the burden is on God’s people.  We must live by God’s standards and proclaim God’s truth.  It will not be easy. 

Consider the Source

(Pro 18:22 KJV)  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

When you read this verse remember that Solomon had hundreds of wives and concubines.  He still wrote this verse.  Although the Bible does not forbid having more than one wife the New Testament does seem to state a preference.

(Tit 1:6 KJV) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

This admonition is given three times in association with the offices of bishop, deacons and elders.  Solomon might have done better to read what Paul had to say.

So?  Truth is truth even if the speaker isn’t living up to it.