A Word of Caution

Psalm 11:5 (KJV) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

We live in a time of chaos.  We have political leaders who seem to care only about power and wealth.  Some would say that is nothing new.  They have a point.  The statement of Lord Acton about power corrupting is a solid insight.  At the same time things seem to be moving in the wrong direction.

Some worry about civil war or nation wide insurgency.  Much of that is hype from media sources.  Satan would love to see the United States devolve into that kind of free for all.  To that thinking we need to look at verses like this and understand what is being said and what is not.

This is not forbidding violence.  It is condemning those who love violence.  It is a misunderstanding like that of people who say, “Money is the root of all evil.”  No, it is the love of money.  If extreme measures ever become necessary then we need to carefully monitor our attitude.

So?  Pray for peace.  Be an island of stability.  Make sure that your heart is right.  Remember that in the book of Esther the Jews were given the right to defend themselves.  That is just one example of godly behavior.  

Unnecessary Synonyms

Proverbs 30:33 (KJV) Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

For some reason today I was looking at the Hebrew in this verse, and I noticed something strange.  The same Hebrew word was used three times, and was translated a different way each time.  In the KJV notice you have “journey, “ringing, “forcing".  All three are the same word in the Hebrew.  The most literal understanding of the word means to press.

I’m not sure what to make of that.  The picture of making butter I can see in my mind as you squeeze the milk through cheese cloth to separate the butter.  If that is the picture, then we have three situations which require our specific and focused attention in order to achieve.  I think that perhaps the one that should be the most concerning is the fact that “strife” is often the result of our repeated pressing a subject.

So?  Why is it that some people can avoid conflict and others seem to run into it all the time?  This suggests that it is our focus, or our attitude, which causes it.  This could be an illustration, or an instruction for us to learn to back off and not be aggressive. 

The Spoiler

(Pro 22:23 KJV)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Many of the conversations I have come around to the state of our country.  Most of the people I talk to feel like our liberty is being curtailed and an oppressive government is taking over.  We watch the way in which big business is falling in line and shake heads.  We keep saying, “Why doesn’t someone do something?”  We wonder if the only answer to such people will be violence.  

I admit I don’t get out much.  There must be masses of people that think all this is just wonderful.  The worst dictatorship in the world can’t survive without the support of a sizable part of the population.  It could be that it is only the people I know that are unhappy.  Either way, the path of violence is not one we should be taking.  Although the context here is God warning us against becoming oppressors, His follow through applies to all.  God will deal with the evil people.  He may do it through the courts.  He may raise up people of violence.  It may be pestilence or natural disaster.  We might not even be aware of it when it happens, but God says to trust Him when it comes to vengeance.

So?  I don’t like it.  I don’t understand it.  At the same time we follow a savior who told us to turn the other cheek. 

Hide

(Pro 27:12 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

The Bible has a lot of different things to say about how we respond to danger.  Jesus talked about turning the other cheek.  This would seem to go with that.  Israel fought a lot of wars.  The government is to use the sword against evil.  It would seem that we need to look to the principles and keep our minds in gear.

Our general mind-set as Christians is non-violent.  That is what is being presented here.  Use you head.  Don’t think you are Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris.  Life is not a Louis L’Amour Western where the good guys eventually win.  We are not to view evil as a challenge to our manhood.  We are to look at it as a chance to trust God.  Will there be times to stand up?  Yes, but not over the issues that usually get our blood boiling. 

So?  God claims vengeance as His.  We are to be witnesses.  That should bring enough adventure for the day. 

Pick a Side

(Proverbs 10:6 KJV)  Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

We are seeing an increase of “violence” (2555) in our civil society today.  The most frequent occurrences by far are left wing mobs attacking people and leaving a trail of blood and broken windows.  If you are paying attention you will notice that there are a lot of news people and politicians who are either outright calling for violence or using terminology that “covereth” (conceals NASB) (3680) the point.

A repeated theme in Proverbs is that evil and violence are linked.  Keep in mind that Proverbs and the Bible are not condemning the legitimate use of force when it is necessary.  They are talking about coercion and the use of force to move a “wicked” (7563) agenda forward. 

So?  When you see someone calling for violence to advance their personal agenda recognize it as something the Bible condemns.  It gives you a view of their heart.  Don’t turn your head and say they don’t mean it.  They do.  You should be on the other side of the line. 

No Muggers Need Apply

(Proverbs 1:19 KJV)  So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

There are at least three different Hebrew words translated “greedy of gain" (violence NASB) (1214) in Proverbs.  This one specifically means to use violent force to take the wealth of other people.  This is not the violence of war or of the police chase.  This is the violence of the mugger.  You attack first and rob second.  If  you were preaching to a bunch of bankers you might link it to the techniques unscrupulous loans harks might use, but that would be stretching it a bit.

So?  I would hope this has no application in your life.  There is no place in the walk of a Christian for this kind of behavior.  You might need to understand that when you evaluate what others are doing. 

Violence Is Timeless

(Proverbs 26:18 KJV)  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

This describes a horror that occurs too frequently in our modern day.  How often have we read about someone coming into a church, school or home and spreading death and destruction?  Once is too often.  This reminds us that it is not just a problem of modern times.  In the days of Solomon they did not have firearms and roadside bombs.  They did have “firebrands” (2131) and “arrows” (2671).  In both cases “death” (4194) results.

The reason given in the verse is insanity.  The context adds laziness, meddling and lying.  Our culture tries to psychoanalyze the criminal.  The Bible soul-analyzes. 

So?  Understand that the core cause of crime and violence is sin.  It is spiritual in nature.  The solutions offered by society are limited at best.  Be willing to offer grace and forgiveness.  It may be rejected, but that is on the head of the rejecter. 

Nuanced Violence

(Proverbs 16:29 KJV)  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Our common culture is making a strong statement about “violence” (2555).  We hear things like “violence is not the answer”.  If you just look at this verse and have a crafted definition of violence you might think the Bible teaches the same thing.

Not so.  Even in Proverbs you will find references to war that do not condemn it automatically.  You can find plenty of evidence for the Christian idea of the Just War.  One of the points of Just War is that you don’t commit violence for violence sake.  You restrain yourself. 

Here we are looking at the kind of person who says the end justifies the means and the end is what gets him what he wants.  It is hard to know a persons heart so we need to be very discerning when someone advocates force.

So?  The road of righteousness is rigorous because it requires us to engage our minds and our reason.  If you don’t you will get sucked into all kinds of problems.  This type of person gets a big thrill when he “entices” (6601b) us into folly.  Think. 

A Place for the SWAT Team

(Proverbs 28:28 KJV)  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

How do the “wicked” (7563) “perish” (6)?  This is an important question.  We have seen the forces of destruction in our homes in child abuse and broken families.  We have feared it on our streets in the form of riots, gang activity and drunkenness.  We have seen them through history in wars, terrorism, genocide and one time atrocities.   Evil and wickedness exist. 

While I can accept a place of defending yourself, it is the role of government to deal with evil in an active way.

(Romans 13:4 KJV)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

To me this gives the government the duty to make evil people “perish”.  The mildest part of the definition means to “go astray” but most nuances have to do with destroying.  This means taking drastic action.  The sword is not made for counseling.

So?  As Christians we can support things like the death penalty.  We can support the role of the police in suppressing riots and civil unrest.  It is their God given role.  It is not vengeance, it is punishment. 

Crime Is the Pits

(Pro 28:17)  A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Being a Christian does not mean totally accepting everyone at all times.  Many of us could do better on being less judgmental, but we often lean over too far backwards.  Some people have done things that justifiably make them “flee” (a fugitive NASB) (5127).  The NASB marginal note says this means “flee to the pit.”  They should have so much fear of justice that they avoid civil society, even the church.

This is a hard concept for many to accept who have a view of love that is based more on Hollywood and modern, Bible rejecting theology than on the teachings of Jesus and Paul.  There is a place for a hard line.  I personally think the average church and average Christian has found it easier to ignore this.  It leads to coddled and comforted perversions.

So?  This is not something that is supposed to start a witch hunt.  This is a standard that we need to seriously consider in how we respond to crime.

Violence or Valor

(Proverbs 3:31 KJV)  Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Why would we “envy” (7065) a “man” (376) who is an “oppressor" (violence NASB) (2555)?  That is a good question, but we do it all the time.  

But we do envy.  I don’t go to the movies much and I never watch TV unless someone else has it on but I do read action novels.  There is something in us that enjoys watching or reading about men of violence.  It is such a part of the macho culture we see around us.  We are part of that culture.

The condemnation is not of soldiers and protectors.  All you need to do is do a search for the term “mighty men of valor” in the KJV and you will come up with hundreds of listings such as,

(Joshua 1:14 KJV)  Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament condemns the soldier who is doing his duty.  The problem is the person who lives by that violence. 

So?  Know and recognize the difference.  Violence for violence sake is to be avoided.  Defense of the weak and righteous is expected.  Sometimes that requires mighty men of valor. 

Violence to the Blood

(Proverbs 28:17 KJV)  A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

The KJV says “doeth violence” and the NASB says “laden with guilt” (6231) {28:3}.  The word used here has the idea of oppressing, not carrying.  That is the usual translation.

The word “guilt” does not appear to be in the Hebrew.  Instead the key is the two words “person” (human NASB) (5315) and “blood” (1818).  “Person” (human NASB) is the word for “soul” or “life,” so this could be translated “soul blood”. 

So we have a warning to those who oppress the soul blood of others.  I want to consider that this could refer to those who kill spiritually.  This is a very real warning for the influence we have on others by our example and our advice.

So?  Don’t think you cruise in a bubble.  You influence others.  Are you someone who edifies or are you an oppressor?  Accept it.

Innocent Blood

(Proverbs 6:17 KJV)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Let me meddle a little bit.  The final phrase in this verse stood out to me today as I read through the chapter.  Most people, especially those with the gifts of mercy and helps, would read this as a call to passivism and non-violence.  They think they see that God hates people who “shed” (8210) “blood” (1818).

Actually, that is not what it says.  The problem is killing the “innocent” (5355a).  Keep in mind that the Bible allows for the death penalty.  Read through the law.  There is a difference between the killer who “lies in wait” and the one who kills someone accidentally or in self defense.  For manslaughter or self defense there were cities of refuge a man could flee to for protection from revenge.  If it was premeditated murder the city would turn him out.  We may not be under the law but it does give us a standard for right and wrong.

It does not allow for abortion or infanticide.  There is nothing more innocent than the unborn or the new born.  Israel was surrounded by cultures that thought nothing of killing or leaving their children to die.  God’s people were to be different.  We are surrounded by a culture that approves abortion and is on the verge of killing the deformed and unwanted. 

Most of us will never have to worry about this.  We will never be in the position where we have a need to kill.  But keep in mind that we live in a republic where the citizens have a hand in forming the kind of laws and judges we have.  We should support people and laws that support what the Bible actually teaches, not just what our emotions want to see.

So?  Be salt and light.  Read, think, pray, meditate and vote.  Speak up in meetings.  Don’t be embarrassed by being different.

Wise War

(Proverbs 24:6 KJV)  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

One of the questions that has continued to be debated through the ages is the relation of the Christian to “war” (4421).  The modern debate includes the issues of self defense and protecting yourself by owning a gun. 

Like many questions of how we are to live in this world the answers are not cut and dried, black and white.  If we are to follow the Highway of Holiness we need to engage our minds and our spirits and be willing to apply reason and logic.  One isolated passage does not a position make.  Yes, Jesus did say to turn the other cheek.  I am aware of that.  His statement is beyond doubt but at one point he told his disciples to buy a sword for their journey:

(Luke 22:36 KJV)  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Jesus also said this.  You can’t ignore it.  It is hard to follow a living God who expects us to deal with nuance and detail.

This verse in Proverbs makes it clear that war is an expected part of life that must be faced with wisdom, not denial.  The concept of Just War has been developed over the years in response to the two different witnesses of the scripture.  We are not free to use war and violence just because we are angry or because someone has struck us on one cheek.  We are always to be concerned for the bigger picture.  At the same time we must be a part of the solution.

When I pray for soldiers I pray for their wisdom more than their safety.  A soldier who is only concerned about safety might as well surrender.  A soldier doing his duty will be faced with many situations that armchair warriors can stop to think about but he must respond instantly.  I pray that they will never do anything that will bring them reason to be ashamed.  That requires wisdom in addition to courage.

So?  Continue the debate because that will bring understanding.  Don’t condemn the passivist or the soldier.  Keep reading, thinking, listening, praying.  Base your life on obedience.