Do You Want to Know?

(Pro 26:23 KJV)  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

I was involved in a discussion of gold and silver eagle coins.  It seems that the Chinese are deeply involved in counterfeiting both.  When you consider that a gold eagle is selling for around $2,000 you can see how a bit of creative artwork could bring lucrative returns.  Most of us would not be able to tell the difference and, in fact, it would not occur to us that the coins we bought were fake.

Ignorance does not change reality.

In the same train of thought, I am not sure if I would recognize “silver” (3701) “dross” (5509).  It might be obvious but if I had not learned a bit the obvious would be obtuse.  The lesson here is not really about silver.  It is about foolishness and evil being delivered as wisdom.  Most of the world would not know the difference.  The ignorance would not be because the needed information was not available but because they really didn’t want to know.

So?  Ask yourself, “Do I really want to know?”  The honest answer to that question will determine how you spend your day. 

Finished Product

(Pro 25:4 KJV)  Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

It seems to me that there is a step missing here, or maybe many steps.  Removing the impurities does not produce a finished product.  I think that is true in crafting artwork or saints.  The more complex the design the more steps involved.  I imagine that in some cases the vessel may go back into the fire, not because it is impure, but because it has not shaped properly.  We are on a lifelong journey and the final form of our body, soul, mind and strength will not be set until eternity.  It is possible that the crafting may continue then.

What is necessary is the purification, the removal of what you might call the evil components.

So?  Make sure you are praying with David,

(Psa 51:10 KJV)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

This is what made him a man after God’s own heart. 

Think about It

(Pro 24:32 KJV)  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

I have been accused of being too introspective.  I would probably plead guilty to the “introspective” but not “too”.  I am a believing skeptic.  That means I trust the Lord, believe truth exits and realize that many people want to deceive me for their own benefit.  Here we see that Solomon “considered” (reflected NASB) (7896/3820).  The margin says this literally means “set my heart”.  

We can know some things with little contemplation.  If someone tells me it is hot outside I don’t need to spend a lot of time reflecting on the meaning of “hot”.  If someone tells me I must believe in a pre-millennial rapture I will need a little background and a lot of thought.  I think it is usually clear which is which.

So?  Never turn your mind off but don’t get bogged down in minutia.  Which category ideas fit into will be individual but the process is universal. 

Property Values

(Pro 23:10 KJV)  Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

I would imagine that most people have not bothered to read the Communist Manifesto.  If they had they would realize that Communism is the enemy of Christianity.  It is also the enemy of ordinary people owning property which might be less of a big deal if the Bible did not endorse the practice.  Here is one of the places.  In ancient Israel the land was divided up first among the tribes and then among families.  You were not to sell your family property.  If you did then it was to be returned in the year of jubilee.  

The Bible recognizes the importance of private property.  It does not demonize profit, just the wrong methods of achieving it.  The Bible is not a book on economics but it has a lot to say about economics.

So?  Be aware of the differences between the teachings of the Word of God and your friendly neighborhood professor.  There will be little overlap. 

The Unknown Name

(Pro 22:1 KJV)  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Notice that the “good” is in italics, which means it is not in the Hebrew.  It is assumed by the context of the entire Bible that the name that should be sought is one that reflects the righteous living of the named.  We should not want to be known by nicknames like Slick or Fingers.  The Puritans tried to get a head start on this by naming their children things like Faith and Joy.  

So?  We may never know the names people have for us when we aren’t around.  They probably reflect our character.  Let the unknown be a source of pride. 

By Choice, Not Just Nature

(Pro 21:10 KJV)  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

A line from some childhood cartoon echoes through my mind at this verse.

“He’s everywhere.  He’s everywhere.”

I don’t know if it is accurate or just my hazy recollection but we need to understand that there are bad people everywhere and they are out to get us.  

When I say “bad” I am not making a theological wimp-out about the carnal nature and how we are all sinners.  That should be assumed by every believer.  That is not what this is talking about although it is the foundation.  The world is full of people who not only are sinners, but rejoice in that condition.  Being evil means that they want to extend the pain and loss to you.

And keep in mind that they are out to get us.  They serve Satan.  Some know it.  Others still live in the fantasy world of being in control.  They are still out to get us.

So?  Keep in tune with God.  Keep reviewing God’s standards.  Stay alert and leave your inner Pollyana in the closet. 

More Than Tough

(Pro 20:26 KJV)  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

This is more than “tough love”.  This is a command to take strong action against the “wicked” (7563) who surround us.  Our modern wimpy Christianity that is afraid to offend anyone except God rejects this clear statement.  This can also be demonstrated in the New Testament from such passages as,

(1Co 5:11 KJV)  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

I think we need to accept that this is a position that applies to more than the king.  It applies at least to everyone in a place of authority and I think to every believer.  We don’t like it.  We would rather quote “Judge not”.  It is still here.

So?  Instead of worrying about the effect we have on the evil in our midst we should be worrying about the effect evil has on the weak and inattentive.  As the liberals like to tell us, “Do it for the children”.