(Proverbs 21:7 KJV) The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
I Like the KJV on this verse.
The difference focuses on two words. “Violence” (7701) NASB is not as good as “robbery” (KJV). It is much more generic in our modern lexicon. Then you have “drag away” (1641) (NASB) instead of “destroy” (KJV). To get the full sense in the NASB you would need to clarify that you are being dragged away by the constable to the chopping block. This is a promise of punishment.
Keep in mind that the Bible takes the long view. We may not see the destruction. People are good at hiding their pain. It might be eating them up inside but they will put on a happy face and give you a thumbs up. Most of us have done the same but this is a little more than tripping on a crack and acting like it didn’t happen.
So? Be glad that we are saved by grace instead of getting what we deserve. Pray for those who deserve even less than you do.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Deliberate Blindness
(Proverbs 20:12 KJV) The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
There is no context to get to the meaning of this verse. Well, there is context, but it doesn’t seem to relate. That gives a lot of room for trying to figure the meaning. It also means that we need to be careful about dogmatic statements. So I see a word picture of God’s grace.
God gives eyes and ears to everyone. The question is what do we do with them. It is possible to ignore what we see and hear. It happens every day. People lie to us. People demonstrate reprobate behavior. Too often we keep ignoring what is clear because it is easier for us that way. I think God extends His grace to everyone but because I believe in free will I don’t believe everyone is willing to respond.
Are there those that God does not reach out to? In one sense, no. God wants everyone saved. In another sense, yes. God knows us better than we know ourselves. It is possible that there are a few people that He doesn’t bother with.
So? The Holy Spirit is active in believers and rejecters. As they say, the ball is in our court.
There is no context to get to the meaning of this verse. Well, there is context, but it doesn’t seem to relate. That gives a lot of room for trying to figure the meaning. It also means that we need to be careful about dogmatic statements. So I see a word picture of God’s grace.
God gives eyes and ears to everyone. The question is what do we do with them. It is possible to ignore what we see and hear. It happens every day. People lie to us. People demonstrate reprobate behavior. Too often we keep ignoring what is clear because it is easier for us that way. I think God extends His grace to everyone but because I believe in free will I don’t believe everyone is willing to respond.
Are there those that God does not reach out to? In one sense, no. God wants everyone saved. In another sense, yes. God knows us better than we know ourselves. It is possible that there are a few people that He doesn’t bother with.
So? The Holy Spirit is active in believers and rejecters. As they say, the ball is in our court.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Lies Kill
(Proverbs 19:9 KJV) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
A liar “speaketh” (tells NASB) (6315) lies. That would seem obvious but the word goes deeper than that. My NASB has a marginal note that says the word means “breaths”. That is much closer to the meaning. We have all met people like this. We joke about looking to see if the sun is up when someone tells us it is noon. They breathe deception.
It is generally a negative term. Out of fifteen times the Hebrew word is used I found four times it could be considered posititive and three of those were in the Song of Solomon where it was romantic.
This is a warning. It is not just saying “Don’t lie”. It is saying that destruction is waiting for you if you do.
So? Liars are destructive to the people around them. That is bad enough. They also are destroying themselves.
A liar “speaketh” (tells NASB) (6315) lies. That would seem obvious but the word goes deeper than that. My NASB has a marginal note that says the word means “breaths”. That is much closer to the meaning. We have all met people like this. We joke about looking to see if the sun is up when someone tells us it is noon. They breathe deception.
It is generally a negative term. Out of fifteen times the Hebrew word is used I found four times it could be considered posititive and three of those were in the Song of Solomon where it was romantic.
This is a warning. It is not just saying “Don’t lie”. It is saying that destruction is waiting for you if you do.
So? Liars are destructive to the people around them. That is bad enough. They also are destroying themselves.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Miracles Happen
(Proverbs 18:21 KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
As I write I am coming off a meeting that this verse speaks to. I was facing an irate parent. It could have gone very poorly because the parent and my principal were good friends and I knew there would be no effort to “have my back” as they say. One of the things I had to keep reminding myself was to keep my mouth shut. Yes, I needed to answer questions. Yes, I needed to be honest and deal with the issues. No, I did not need to get into a debate on abstract points of educational philosophy and social commentary that would only muddy the waters.
There is a time to speak out. There is a time to let others talk. As some famous person said, “Grant me the wisdom to know the difference.”
So? I survived. Looking back I don’t see that I gave up any ground that was unjustified. I kept my mouth shut. Miracles still happen. May they touch your life.
As I write I am coming off a meeting that this verse speaks to. I was facing an irate parent. It could have gone very poorly because the parent and my principal were good friends and I knew there would be no effort to “have my back” as they say. One of the things I had to keep reminding myself was to keep my mouth shut. Yes, I needed to answer questions. Yes, I needed to be honest and deal with the issues. No, I did not need to get into a debate on abstract points of educational philosophy and social commentary that would only muddy the waters.
There is a time to speak out. There is a time to let others talk. As some famous person said, “Grant me the wisdom to know the difference.”
So? I survived. Looking back I don’t see that I gave up any ground that was unjustified. I kept my mouth shut. Miracles still happen. May they touch your life.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Don’t Be an Abomination
(Proverbs 17:15 KJV) He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
We had a recent example of this. One the one hand we had some activists showing video of Planned Parenthood executives calmly discussing selling baby parts while they ate lunch. At about the same time we had the case of a dentist who journeyed to Africa, bought all the required permits, hired guides and ended up shooting a tagged animal. Guess which report was ignored and which was trumpeted. Guess which was presented as the worst crime against humanity.
We live in a day and age where celebrities share they have AIDS and have passed it on to dozens of people and are still taken seriously. In that same society they condemn as haters people who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. God has a word for this, “abomination” (8441).
So? It is touching you. It will change your children’s lives. We need to stand up for truth and righteousness. It needs to be done with courtesy. It needs to be done with vigor. Don’t fall into the trap of justifying evil just because it is the current trend.
We had a recent example of this. One the one hand we had some activists showing video of Planned Parenthood executives calmly discussing selling baby parts while they ate lunch. At about the same time we had the case of a dentist who journeyed to Africa, bought all the required permits, hired guides and ended up shooting a tagged animal. Guess which report was ignored and which was trumpeted. Guess which was presented as the worst crime against humanity.
We live in a day and age where celebrities share they have AIDS and have passed it on to dozens of people and are still taken seriously. In that same society they condemn as haters people who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. God has a word for this, “abomination” (8441).
So? It is touching you. It will change your children’s lives. We need to stand up for truth and righteousness. It needs to be done with courtesy. It needs to be done with vigor. Don’t fall into the trap of justifying evil just because it is the current trend.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
With or Without
(Proverbs 16:8 KJV) Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
The comparison here is not really between “little” (4592) and “great” (7230). They are adjectives modifying the nouns. The contrast is between “righteousness” (6666) and “right” (injustice NASB) (3808/4941). As followers of Jesus we are to be seeking that which is moral and right. We are to be rejecting that which is wrong. It seems pretty easy. It isn’t.
Life if full of compromises that are necessary. You might drive an older car so you can help your kids through college. You might eat a cheaper cut of meat or only eat out when you have a coupon so that you can tithe. We do this kind of thing all the time. The problem is that our culture is rejecting morality and pushing us to compromise on the core issues. In those cases it is necessary that we do not compromise.
So? You can’t know what is a core issue unless you are willing to be honest. It starts with the word. It is augmented by the people we listen to. Make sure that they agree and that you make the hard decisions.
The comparison here is not really between “little” (4592) and “great” (7230). They are adjectives modifying the nouns. The contrast is between “righteousness” (6666) and “right” (injustice NASB) (3808/4941). As followers of Jesus we are to be seeking that which is moral and right. We are to be rejecting that which is wrong. It seems pretty easy. It isn’t.
Life if full of compromises that are necessary. You might drive an older car so you can help your kids through college. You might eat a cheaper cut of meat or only eat out when you have a coupon so that you can tithe. We do this kind of thing all the time. The problem is that our culture is rejecting morality and pushing us to compromise on the core issues. In those cases it is necessary that we do not compromise.
So? You can’t know what is a core issue unless you are willing to be honest. It starts with the word. It is augmented by the people we listen to. Make sure that they agree and that you make the hard decisions.
Friday, January 15, 2016
A Tongue Tree
(Proverbs 15:4 KJV) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Here again we see the “tree of life”. In this case the promise of eternal life is tied to our speech patterns. Are we peacemakers or agitators? Do we throw oil on the waters of do the cannon ball dive? We know it makes a difference to other people. Evidently if makes a difference to us also.
It may be awhile before we see the difference. It may be when our children grow up and begin to apply our methods and vocabulary. It may be when the promotion doesn’t come. It may be so far down the road that we don’t remember the cause of the problem. The principle remains the same?
So? Watch your mouth. I know that I cringe at some of the things I have said. That is a start. The next step is repentance and that involves a willingness to change.
Here again we see the “tree of life”. In this case the promise of eternal life is tied to our speech patterns. Are we peacemakers or agitators? Do we throw oil on the waters of do the cannon ball dive? We know it makes a difference to other people. Evidently if makes a difference to us also.
It may be awhile before we see the difference. It may be when our children grow up and begin to apply our methods and vocabulary. It may be when the promotion doesn’t come. It may be so far down the road that we don’t remember the cause of the problem. The principle remains the same?
So? Watch your mouth. I know that I cringe at some of the things I have said. That is a start. The next step is repentance and that involves a willingness to change.
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