An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Enjoy the Mud

(Proverbs 27:4 KJV)  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

I am wondering about the relationship between “envy” (jealousy NASB) (7068) and what the Ten Commandments calls “covet” (2530).  I am far from being an expert on the Hebrew but when I look at the definitions and how they are used I get the feeling that jealousy is more a raw emotion while coveting is a focused desire.  Thus I might say that anger is a response that can be explained.  You know what made you angry.  Jealousy is less rational. 

Somewhere I remember jealousy being explained as being unhappy that someone else is being blessed and enjoying life.  It isn’t so much that you even want what they have, that would be coveting.  It is more that you do not like their success.

So?  We need to take what the Love Chapter has to say and apply it in our observed world.
(1 Corinthians 13:6 KJV)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
If you are having a bad day, look around you and be thankful for someone else’s blessings.  If you need an example think of watching a toddler sitting in the mud having a great time smearing it all over everything.  You are not involved but you can enjoy their joy.

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

I used to have an aunt who tried to get all of the family heirlooms she could lay her hands on only to dell, give-away or burn many of them. She simply didn't want anyone else to get them.

Pumice said...

With all respect to your aunt, that is the same attitude of graffiti artists and rioters.

Grace and peace